The Pathognomonic ultrasonographic findings in fetus with COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Aim: The main goal is to identify the pathognomonic sonographic signs for foetal SARS-CoV-2 infection and to determine whether or not transplacental SARS-CoV-2 transmission is possible. Patients and Methods: In total, 105 pregnant women with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR swabs during the first trimester with mild or moderate infection without hospitalisation and/or oxygen support were included in this prospective comparative study, which was carried out at the ultrasound and foetal medicine unit of Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023. The SARS-CoV-2 positive group was compared to the control group with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: In the COVID-19 group, pathognomonic ultrasonographic results were considerably more common. The COVID-19 group had a considerably higher frequency of placental calcifications and oligohydramnios. In the COVID-19 cohort, patients with positive pathognomonic ultrasonographic results had considerably higher BMIs. In the COVID-19 cohort, gestational age at infection, and BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 were significant independent risk factors for the development of pathognomonic ultrasonographic abnormalities. Those in the control group who had positive pathognomonic ultrasonographic results were older and had higher rates of hypertension. Significant independent risk variables for the incidence of pathognomonic ultrasonographic findings in the control group included age ≥34.0 years and hypertension. Conclusion: There is no evidence of a teratogenic effect linked to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first few months of pregnancy. However, early pregnancy infection with COVID-19 is linked to pathognomonic ultrasonography findings of placental calcifications and oligohydramnios.