COVID-19's Effect in Pregnancy and Vertical Transmission: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public health and the global economy. It has also been found to have potential effects on pregnancy, neonatal outcomes, and mother-to-infant transmission. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with pregnancy. A systematic review study was conducted by searching the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases according to PRISMA guidelines from December 1, 2019, to December 23, 2022. The results indicate that there was an increase in the rate of cesarean delivery among mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the study found that the mode of delivery for pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 did not increase or decrease the risk of infection for newborns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as stillbirths and ruptured ectopic pregnancies. Research has shown that SARS-CoV-2 can potentially be transmitted during pregnancy, although vertical transmission is rare. However, additional data are needed to investigate this adverse effect, especially regarding reports of disease recurrence in mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2.