Changes in physiology and immune system during pregnancy and coronavirus infection: A review

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020 Dec:255:124-128. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.10.035. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the 3rd epidemic coronavirus after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Since December 2019, the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has aroused great attention around the world. Pregnant women and their fetuses have been concerned as a high-risk population. We explained why pregnant women are susceptible to coronavirus in terms of their adaptive changes in physiology and immune system during pregnancy, and described the associations between maternal clinical symptoms, perinatal outcomes and coronavirus infections.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Immune; Obstetric adverse outcome; Physiology; Pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Female
  • Fetus / virology
  • Humans
  • Immune System / virology*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Risk Factors