Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy: Implications for the Health of the Next Generation.
Lydia L ShookLindsay T FourmanAndrea G EdlowPublished in: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (2022)
Widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant individuals has led to a generation of fetuses exposed in utero, but the long-term impact of such exposure remains unknown. Although fetal infection is rare, children born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic outcomes. Fetal programming effects are likely to be mediated at least in part by maternal immune activation. In this review, we discuss recent evidence regarding the effects of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the maternal, placental, and fetal immune response, as well as the implications for the long-term health of offspring. Extrapolating from what is known about the impact of maternal immune activation in other contexts (e.g., obesity, HIV, influenza), we review the potential for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic morbidity in offspring. Based on available data suggesting potential increased neurodevelopmental risk, we highlight the importance of establishing large cohorts to monitor offspring born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic sequelae.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- immune response
- birth weight
- gestational age
- pregnancy outcomes
- high fat diet
- preterm birth
- pregnant women
- healthcare
- public health
- human health
- mental health
- weight gain
- insulin resistance
- low birth weight
- coronavirus disease
- metabolic syndrome
- health information
- congenital heart disease
- hepatitis c virus
- human immunodeficiency virus
- young adults
- antiretroviral therapy
- type diabetes
- weight loss
- hiv positive
- dendritic cells
- hiv infected
- hiv aids
- body mass index
- health promotion
- big data
- preterm infants
- skeletal muscle
- high fat diet induced
- south africa