A novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 in practice of obstetrician-gynecologist: a review of current data and guidelines

In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus was identified in China, called SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) that quickly spread not only within the People’s Republic of China, but also far beyond its borders. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the infection caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 became a pandemic. Prior to this, two global epidemics were caused by pathogenic coronaviruses: in 2002 – by SARS-CoV that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and in 2012 – by MERSCoV that resulted in the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). All coronavirus infections in humans are characterized by damage of lower respiratory tract with development of severe pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. According to reports, males become sick more often than females. It is known that due to developing immunological suppression pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting infectious diseases. However, the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, its effect on outcome of gestation, and the likelihood of vertical transmission to the fetus still remain unanswered. In this review, we present data on cases of SARS-CoV-2 disease during pregnancy published globally, its effect on outcome of gestation, as well as data on potential routes of infection for fetus and neonates. In addition, we also provide currently available clinical recommendations released by the Royal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (UK), the American Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (USA), and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Research (India) on the management of pregnant patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

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