SARS-CoV-2 placentitis: An uncommon complication of maternal COVID-19

Laura Linehan; Keelin O'Donoghue; Susan Dineen; Jessica White; John R Higgins; Brendan Fitzgerald

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2021.01.012

SARS-CoV-2 placentitis: An uncommon complication of maternal COVID-19

Placenta. 2021 Jan 15:104:261-266. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.01.012. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Authors

Laura Linehan¹, Keelin O'Donoghue², Susan Dineen³, Jessica White³, John R Higgins⁴, Brendan Fitzgerald³

Affiliations

¹ INFANT Centre, 5th Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: laura.linehan@ucc.ie.
² INFANT Centre, 5th Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
³ Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.

Abstract

We present a case of third trimester pregnancy complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent reduced fetal movements, resulting in emergency Caesarean delivery with demonstrable placental SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. We show through illustration of this case and literature review that SARS-Co-V-2 placentitis is an uncommon but readily recognisable complication of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection that may be a marker of potential vertical transmission and that may have the capacity to cause fetal compromise through a direct injurious effect on the placenta.

Keywords: Histiocytic intervillositis; Placental pathology; Placentitis; SARS-CoV-2; Vertical transmission.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
COVID-19 / complications*
COVID-19 / pathology
Female
Humans
Placenta / pathology*
Placenta Diseases / pathology
Placenta Diseases / virology*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
SARS-CoV-2