MRI of fetal brain advancement. Credit: RSNA and Sophia Stöcklein, M.D.
COVID-19 of mild to moderate intensity in pregnant women appears to have no result on the brain of the establishing fetus, according to a study being presented today (November 30, 2021) at the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Two years into the pandemic, there is proof that pregnant females are more susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that triggers COVID-19. However, little is known about the possible effects for a coming kid if the mother is infected throughout pregnancy. The probability and effect of a vertical transmission, suggesting the passage of the infection from mom to the fetus, remains unclear.
” Women infected with SARS-CoV-2 throughout pregnancy are concerned that the infection may affect the advancement of their unborn kid, as is the case with some other viral infections,” stated study senior author Sophia Stöcklein, M.D., from the Department of Radiology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, in Germany. “So far, although there are a few reports of vertical transmission to the fetus, the exact threat and effect remain largely unclear. The objective of our study was to fill this space in knowledge relating to the effect of a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal brain development.”
Image of fetus. Credit: RSNA and Sophia Stöcklein, M.D.
Dr. Stöcklein and colleagues utilized fetal MRI to study 33 patients with COVID-19 infection throughout pregnancy. The patients were roughly 28 weeks into their pregnancies, usually, with sign onset happening at a mean of simply over 18 weeks into the pregnancy. The most typical maternal signs were loss or a reduced sense of odor and taste, dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
2 board-certified radiologists with several years of experience in fetal MRI examined the scans. They found that the brain advancement in the evaluated areas was age-appropriate in all fetuses. There were no findings indicative of infection of the fetal brain.
” In our research study, there was no proof that a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection has any effect on the brain development of the coming child,” Dr. Stöcklein stated. “This reality should help to assure affected moms and dads.”
Dr. Stöcklein cautioned that just moms with mild to moderate symptoms and without hospitalization were included in the research study.
” Since the effect of serious infection on brain advancement in the fetus has not been conclusively identified, active defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout pregnancy remains essential,” she said.
As part of that protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises vaccination for all individuals ages 12 and older, including ladies who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant. The CDC keeps in mind that the vaccine can secure versus severe disease.
” So far, vaccination is the most promising defense versus COVID-19,” Dr. Stöcklein said. “Any prospective negative effects are manageable, even in pregnant ladies. Therefore, regardless of the encouraging outcomes of our study, pregnant females must highly consider vaccination.”
The scientists will be following the patients over the next 5 years, including in-depth neonatal assessment, along with evaluation of neurological advancement.
Co-authors are Olaf Dietrich, Ph.D., Andreas Flemmer, M.D., Julien Dinkel, M.D., Nicola Fink, Vanessa Koliogiannis, M.D., Christoph Hubener, M.D., Tobias Prester, Maria Delius, M.D., M.P.H., Thomas Kolben, and Sven Mahner, M.D.
Meeting: 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America
” Women infected with SARS-CoV-2 throughout pregnancy are worried that the virus might affect the advancement of their unborn kid, as is the case with some other viral infections,” stated study senior author Sophia Stöcklein, M.D., from the Department of Radiology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, in Germany. The aim of our research study was to fill this space in knowledge relating to the impact of a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal brain advancement.”
Credit: RSNA and Sophia Stöcklein, M.D.
Dr. Stöcklein and colleagues coworkers fetal MRI to study 33 patients with COVID-19 infection during throughout. They found that the brain advancement in the examined areas was age-appropriate in all fetuses.