Unique Severe COVID-19 Placental Signature Independent of Severity of Clinical Maternal Symptoms.
Marjolein F HusenLotte E van der MeerenRobert M VerdijkPieter L A FraaijAnnemiek A van der EijkMarion P G KoopmansLiv FreemanHein BogersMarjolijn D TrietschIrwin K M ReissPhilip L J DeKoninckSam SchoenmakersPublished in: Viruses (2021)
We describe a unique placental signature in pregnant patients with COVID-19, which has not been reported in a historical cohort. We show that the foetal environment can be seriously compromised by disruption of placental function due to local, devastating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Maternal clinical symptoms did not predict the severity of the SARS-CoV-2-related placental signature, resulting in a lack of adequate identification of maternal criteria for pregnancies at risk. Close foetal monitoring and pregnancy termination in case of foetal distress can prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes due to COVID-19 related placental disease.