Cited by 362COVID-19 Impact on ReproductionSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies

Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission during pregnancy

Open access
Fenizia, Claudio, Biasin, Mara, Cetin, Irene, Vergani, Patrizia, Mileto, Davide, Spinillo, Arsenio, Gismondo, Maria Rita, Perotti, Francesca +8 more·2020·Nature Communications

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during gestation remains unclear. Here, we analyse the viral genome on maternal and newborns nasopharyngeal swabs, vaginal swabs, maternal and umbilical cord plasma, placenta and umbilical cord biopsies, amniotic fluids and milk from 31 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, we also test specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and expression of genes involved in inflammatory responses in placentas, and in maternal and umbilical cord plasma. We detect SARS-CoV-2 genome in one umbilical cord blood and in two at-term placentas, in one vaginal mucosa and in one milk specimen. Furthermore, we report the presence of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in one umbilical cord blood and in one milk specimen. Finally, in the three documented cases of vertical transmission, SARS-CoV-2 infection was accompanied by a strong inflammatory response. Together, these data support the hypothesis that in utero SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission, while low, is possible. These results might help defining proper obstetric management of COVID-19 pregnant women, or putative indications for mode and timing of delivery.

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Authors
Fenizia, C., Biasin, M., Cetin, I., Vergani, P., Mileto, D., Spinillo, A., Gismondo, M. R., Perotti, F., Callegari, C., Mancon, A., Cammarata, S., Beretta, I., Nebuloni, M., Trabattoni, D., Clerici, M., & Savasi, V.
Affiliations
  • University of Milan (IT)
  • ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco (IT)
  • University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
  • University of Pavia (IT)
  • Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT)
  • Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo (IT)
Corresponding author
Savasi, Valeria
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2020-10-12
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
5128-5128
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3092146863
Cited by
361
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 93 · 2021: 149 · 2020: 13
FWCI
47.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • medRxiv (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca (Universita Degli Studi Di Milano) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Università degli Studi di Milano
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, vertical transmission, pregnancy, placenta, umbilical cord blood, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, IgM and IgG antibodies, inflammation, placental gene expression, vaginal mucosa, breast milk, obstetric management
MeSH terms
Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Adolescent, Adult, Antibodies, Viral, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Inflammation, Middle Aged, Pneumonia, Viral, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Genome, Viral, Coronavirus Infections, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical, Young Adult, Pandemics

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