Characteristics of Placental Histopathology in Women with Uncomplicated Pregnancies Affected by SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the Time of Delivery: A Single-Center Experience
Laura Sarno,
Mariavittoria Locci,
Caterina Fulgione,
Francesca Perillo,
Angela Dell’Isola,
Dalila Mantelli,
Cristina Sibillo,
Gabriele Saccone,
Giuseppe Maria Maruotti,
Daniela Terracciano,
Giuseppe Bifulco,
Maurizio Guida,
Maria D’Armiento
Affiliations
Laura Sarno
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Mariavittoria Locci
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Caterina Fulgione
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Francesca Perillo
Pathology Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Angela Dell’Isola
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Dalila Mantelli
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Cristina Sibillo
Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Gabriele Saccone
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Maria Maruotti
Department of Public Health, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Daniela Terracciano
Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Bifulco
Department of Public Health, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Maurizio Guida
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Maria D’Armiento
Pathology Unit, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
The aim of this study was, firstly, to analyze the histopathological characteristics of placentas in women with uneventful pregnancies and affected by COVID-19 at the time of delivery; and secondly, to correlate histological findings to maternal and neonatal characteristics. In our single-center prospective observational study, 46 placentas from term uncomplicated singleton pregnancies of patients with a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of delivery underwent histological examination. Despite a normal feto-maternal outcome, most of the placentas (82.6%) presented signs of maternal vascular malperfusion, while features of fetal vascular malperfusion were found in 54% of cases. No correlation was detected between maternal and neonatal characteristics and the severity of blood circulation disease, and abnormal findings were also described in asymptomatic patients. Moreover, we did not find any maternal symptoms or clinical details allowing for the prediction of abnormal placental findings in pregnancy complicated by COVID-19 infection. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy could lead to acute placental dysfunction.
