Risk of Transmission of COVID-19 from the Mother to the Foetus: A Systematic Review

Palaska, Ermioni; Golia, Eleni; Zacharogianni, Evgenia; Bothou, Anastasia; Tziriridou-Chatzopoulou, Maria; Dagla, Maria; Antoniou, Evangelia; Orovou, Eirini

doi:10.34763/jmotherandchild.20242801.d-24-00032

Abstract

Introduction

People’s lives have been impacted in every way by the COVID-19 pandemic and it had a variety of effects on pregnancy and childbirth, including decreased access to healthcare providers who can attend to the needs of expectant mothers and their foetuses. These effects can be attributed to the infection’s effects on the mother and foetus.

Aim

The aim of this research was to investigate the probability of vertical transmission of COVID-19 from the pregnant mother to the foetus.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases to identify original research articles published from 2019 to 2021. The search aimed to locate cohort studies, case series, and reports focusing on pregnant individuals with COVID-19, specifically those containing information on COVID-19 testing for foetuses or newborns.

Results

In this systematic review, studies showed that the possibility of vertical transmission from a COVID-19-infected mother to the foetus or neonate is rare.

Conclusion

With regards to the theoretical framework proposed regarding the vertical transmission of COVID-19 from the pregnant woman to the foetus or neonate, there exists a potential risk of transmission. Nevertheless, documented instances of confirmed vertical transmission are limited and inadequately documented in the available literature.

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