The comparison of placental findings and pregnancy outcomes before and during COVID-19 pandemic

Background The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes is unclear, but evidence suggests increased perinatal loss due to placental damage and fetal oxygen deprivation.Objective This study compared placental findings and fetal outcomes between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods to assess the association between COVID-19 and abnormal placental pathology and fetal complications. It was hypothesized that COVID-19-positive pregnancies would have higher rates of intrauterine fetal demise and fetal growth restriction due to virus-induced placental injury.Study Design A retrospective analysis of 34,102 deliveries compared placental and fetal outcomes across two periods: pre-COVID-19 (April 1, 2018-September 30, 2019) and COVID-19 (April 1, 2020-September 30, 2021), with a washout period in between. Placental abnormalities (chorangiosis, chorioamnionitis, and villitis) and fetal outcomes (fetal growth restriction and intrauterine fetal demise) were analyzed using chi-squared tests with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results The COVID-19 period showed a significant increase in placental findings: chorangiosis, chorioamnionitis, villitis, and fetal growth restriction. Placentas from COVID-19-positive mothers had higher rates of these findings, though the increase in fetal growth restriction was not statistically significant. Intrauterine fetal demise rates were higher in COVID-19-negative pregnancies but did not differ between periods.Conclusion Routine antenatal fetal testing for COVID-19 positivity alone is not warranted. We agree a follow-up fetal growth ultrasound 4 weeks post-infection is advisable per Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine guidelines. The role of maternal comorbidities in chorangiosis remains unclear, warranting further investigation.