Characterizing COVID-19 maternal-fetal transmission and placental infection using comprehensive molecular pathology
David A. Schwartz, Kristen Thomas
Abstract
Among the most worrisome consequences of a newly emergent viral disease is its potential effect on pregnant women. It is particularly important to determine whether a novel virus is transmissible from a mother to her infant, a process termed vertical infection, and if so, under what circumstances. There are three possible mechanisms for vertical infection – intrauterine infection (including transplacental and ascending infections), intrapartum transmission (during delivery), and postpartum infection.
Topics & Concepts
TransplacentalTransmission (telecommunications)PregnancyMedicineVirologyFetusPlacentaImmunologyZika virusPandemicNeonatal infectionVirusBiologyDiseaseCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Electrical engineeringEngineeringGeneticsCOVID-19 Impact on ReproductionPregnancy and Medication ImpactReproductive System and Pregnancy