The association between parental SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and fetal growth restriction

Abstract

Objectives: Although the relationship between maternal viral infections and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is well established, the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and FGR remains unclear. We investigated the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and FGR at a single county hospital.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study with cohorts matched by gestational age and month of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing between April 2020 and July 2022. Individuals were included if they had a SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing up to 32 weeks of gestation and had a third trimester ultrasound. Primary outcome was a diagnosis of FGR, while secondary outcomes were rates of preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA) and birthweight. Univariate analyses, chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis.

Results: Our cohorts constituted of 102 pregnant individuals with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result and 103 pregnant individuals with a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result in pregnancy. FGR rates were 17.8 % and 19.42 % among positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 cohorts respectively. While a statistical difference in preeclampsia rates was noted (34.31 % vs. 21.36 %, p=0.038) between cohorts, odds of getting preeclampsia based on SARS-CoV-2 test result was not significant (aOR 1.01, CI=0.97-1.01, p=0.75). No statistical difference was noted in demographics, FGR and SGA rates, and birthweight.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest no association between SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and FGR at a single institution. Our results validate emerging data that additional fetal growth ultrasonographic assessment is not indicated solely based on SARS-CoV-2 infection status.

Keywords: birthweight; fetal growth restriction; maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection; pregnancy; small for gestational age.