SARS-CoV-2 in early pregnancy-does it affect the aneuploidy screening markers and cause pregnancy loss?

Abstract

Background: It is known that vertical transmission of various infections poses a potential risk to the fetus, especially in early pregnancy. Potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on early pregnancy and placental formation and functions still remain unknown.

Aim: To determine the alterations of prenatal aneuploidy screening markers in a group of pregnant women who were SARS-CoV-2 positive during the first trimester. The secondary goal was to assess pregnancy loss rates.

Method: The study group consisted of pregnant women who were diagnosed with mild forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection before the screening test at any time in early pregnancy. The control group included pregnant women who were not diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection during their pregnancy. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected by RT-PCR in the nasopharyngeal swab samples. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed due to evaluate effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on NT and serum aneuploidy screening parameters taking maternal age and gestational age which the COVID-19 RT-PCR test result was positive into account.

Results: We did not find any significant difference between the COVID-19-positive and COVID-negative groups in gestational age at screening, sonographic measurements of CRL, NT, and serum levels of PAPP-A, free hCG, and triple test serum markers even after accounting for maternal age and gestational age which the COVID-19 RT-PCR test result was positive. There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy loss.

Conclusions: We did not find any evidence for unfavorable prenatal biochemical, ultrasound markers of fetal aneuploidy screening tests, and pregnancy loss rates in our study group.

Keywords: Aneuploidy screening test; COVID-19; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2.