Histopathology of Third Trimester Placenta from SARS-CoV-2-Positive Women

TL;DR

This study found no significant differences in placental pathology between third-trimester pregnancies from SARS-CoV-2-positive women and controls, indicating COVID-19 does not alter placental structure.

Contribution

It provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the third trimester does not cause specific placental pathological changes.

Findings

No significant pathological differences between groups

COVID-19 does not affect placental structure in third trimester

No difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate whether maternal SARS-CoV-2 status affect placental pathology. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted by reviewing charts and slides of placentas between April 1 to July 24, 2020. Clinical history of COVID-19 were searched in Pathology Database (CoPath). Controls were matched with SARS-CoV-2-negative women with singleton deliveries in the 3rd-trimester. Individual and group, pathological features were extracted from placental pathology reports. Results: Twenty-one 3rd-trimester, placentas from SARS-CoV-2-positive women were identified and compared to 20 placentas from SARS-CoV-2-negative women. There were no significant differences in individual or group gross or microscopic pathological features between the groups. Within the SARS-CoV-2+ group, there are no differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Conclusion: Placentas from SARS-CoV-2-positive women do not demonstrate a specific pathological pattern. Pregnancy complicated with COVID-19 during the 3rd trimester does not have a demonstrable effect on placental structure and pathology.