Antibodies transmitted through breast milk persist six months after COVID mRNA vaccination
Researchers describe the effects of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating mothers and relates their antibody response to the protection of their children. // 7.7.2022
Stillbirths and preterm births significantly lower in COVID vaccinated women
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers determined the association between messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations and perinatal outcomes including congenital abnormalities, stillbirths, and premature births in Australia. // 8.7.2022
The analysis was performed for 32,536 pregnant women who gave birth to 33,018 newborns, of which 53.4% (n=17,365) women were vaccinated, whereas 47.6% (n=15,171) women did not receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
COVID-19-vaccinated pregnant women had substantially lower stillbirth rates (0.2% versus 0.8% and aOR 0.2), premature births in less than 37 weeks of gestation (5.1% versus 9.2% and aOR 0.6), spontaneous premature births (2.4% versus 4.0% and aOR 0.7) and iatrogenic premature births (2.7% versus 5.2% and aOR 0.5)
Women who received COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy were substantially less likely to give birth to infants with significant congenital anomalies in comparison to the unvaccinated women (2.4% versus 3.0% and aOR 0.7).
Maternal mortality in the USA before and during COVID-19 pandemic
In the latest issue of the JAMA Network Open, researchers assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on maternal death rates in the United States (US). // 30.6.2022
Evidence COVID in pregnancy can affect offspring's neurodevelopment
In a recent study published in the Jama Network Open journal, researchers investigated the impact of in utero exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the neurodevelopment of infants. // 15.6.2022
Researchers from the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón have been investigating the spread of the disease from pregnant women to newborns. // 31.5.2022
CDC study of pregnant women hospitalized with COVID in 2021 found 93% not vaccinated
In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers assessed the characteristics and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women. // 12.5.2022
Impact of COVID-19 during pregnancy on development of fetal auditory system
In a new study, researchers assessed the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy and the consequent impact on the auditory system of the infants. // 6.5.2022
Prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 raises risk of neurological disorders in infants
In a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers investigated the early indicators of neurological dysfunctions, including the absence of fidgety movements, in three to five-month-old infants prenatally exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). // 6.5.2022
SARS-COV2 placentitis and pregnancy outcome: A multicentre experience during the Alpha and early Delta waves of coronavirus pandemic in England
SARS-CoV2 placentitis is a distinct entity associated with increased risk of pregnancy loss, particularly in the third trimester. Women can be completely asymptomatic and still experience severe placentitis. // 15.4.2022
Impact of cardiovascular disease in pregnant or postpartum COVID-19 patients
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis worsened by the presence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in pregnant and postpartum women. // 11.4.2022
SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk remain after Holder pasteurization
Researchers study the impact of pasteurization on specific Ig concentration against SARS-CoV-2 in milk from mRNA vaccinated lactating women. // 27.3.2022
Association of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination During Pregnancy With Pregnancy Outcomes
This cohort study examines the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy based on registry data from Sweden and Norway. // 24.3.2022
Association of COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy With Adverse Peripartum Outcomes
This population-based cohort study examines the association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal peripartum outcomes just before, during, or after delivery. // 24.3.2022
SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes.1,2 COVID-19 vaccines are effective for preventing severe disease, including in pregnant populations.3 Although more than 100 countries recommend COVID-19 vaccination during... // 24.3.2022
Maternal Antibody Response and Transplacental Transfer Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Vaccination in Pregnancy
Background: Pregnant persons are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and adverse obstetric outcomes. Understanding maternal antibody response and transplacental transfer after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination is important to inform public health recommendations. // 20.3.2022
SARS-CoV-2 infection found to reduce fetal lung volume as assessed by MRI
Researchers evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in gestational women on fetal pulmonary development using magnetic resonance imaging. // 21.3.2022
Coronavirus infection during pregnancy may double the risk of poor outcomes
A Kaiser Permanente analysis of pregnant patients who tested positive for the coronavirus found more than double the risk of poor outcomes including preterm birth, venous thromboembolism (blood clot), and severe maternal morbidity, which includes conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. // 21.3.2022
Severity of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and perinatal outcomes during the Omicron variant dominant period: UK Obstetric Surveillance System national cohort study.
Objectives To describe the severity of maternal infection when the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant was dominant (15/12/21-14/01/22) and compare outcomes among groups with different vaccination status. // 9.3.2022
Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy: a Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) Network study
Background: Pregnant individuals have been receiving COVID-19 vaccines following pre-authorization clinical trials in non-pregnant people. This study aimed to determine significant health events amongst pregnant females after COVID-19 vaccination, compared with unvaccinated pregnant controls and vaccinated non-pregnant individuals. Methods: Study participants were pregnant and non-pregnant females aged 15-49 years who had received any COVID-19 vaccine, and pregnant unvaccinated controls. Participants reported significant health events occurring within seven days of vaccination. We employed multivariable logistic regression to examine significant health events associated with mRNA vaccines. Findings: Overall 226/5,597(4.0%) vaccinated pregnant females reported a significant health event after dose one of an mRNA vaccine, and 227/3,108(7.3%) after dose two, compared with 11/339(3.2%) pregnant unvaccinated females. Pregnant vaccinated females had an increased odds of a significant health event after dose two of mRNA-1273 (aOR 4.4,95%CI 2.4-8.3) compared to pregnant unvaccinated controls, but not after dose one of mRNA-1273 or any dose of BNT162b2. Pregnant females had decreased odds of a significant health event compared to non-pregnant females after both dose one (aOR 0.63,95%CI 0.55-0.72) and dose two (aOR 0.62,95%CI 0.54-0.71) of mRNA vaccination. There were no significant differences in any analyses when restricted to events which led to medical attention. Interpretation: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have a good safety profile in pregnancy. Rates of significant health events were higher after dose two of mRNA-1273 compared with unvaccinated controls, with no difference when considering events leading to medical consultation. Rates of significant health events were lower in pregnant females than similarly aged non-pregnant individuals. ### Competing Interest Statement MS has been an investigator on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Moderna, Pfizer, Sanofi-Pasteur, Seqirus, Symvivo and VBI Vaccines. All funds have been paid to his institute, and he has not received any personal payments. OGV has been an investigator, coinvestigator and/or expert panelist on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, and Seqirus, outside the submitted work. JDK has been an investigator on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Moderna, and Pfizer. All funds have been paid to his institute, and he has not received any personal payments. KAT has been an investigator on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline. All funds have been paid to her institute, and she has not received any personal payments. JEI has been an investigator on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi-Pasteur. All funds have been paid to her institute, and she has not received any personal payments. AJM has been an investigator on projects funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi-Pasteur, and Seqirus, with funds paid to her institution, and has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards from Astra-Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicago, Merck, Moderna, Pfizer, Sanofi-Pasteur, Seqirus, and for presentations from Astra-Zeneca, and Moderna. GDS has been an investigator on a project funded by Pfizer. All funds have been paid to his institute, and he has not received any personal payments. Other authors have no disclosures. ### Clinical Protocols ### Funding Statement This work was supported by the COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada CANVAS grant number CVV-450980 and by funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, through the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group and the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: All participants provided informed consent electronically. Each study site has Research Ethics Board approvals for the project (UBC Children's & Women's, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Health PEI, Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, IWK Health, Unity Health Toronto, and CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes De-identified data collected for the study (with data dictionary) may be made available upon approval by the study investigators, with relevant agreements (e.g., data sharing agreement) and approvals (e.g., relevant ethics approvals). Requests should be directed to the corresponding author in the first instance. // 24.2.2022
Why pregnant people were left behind while vaccines moved at ‘warp speed’ to help the masses
Kia Slade was seven months pregnant, unvaccinated, and fighting for breath, her oxygen levels plummeting, when her son came into the world last May. // 24.2.2022
COVID-19 related placental tissue destruction and insufficiency may cause stillbirth and neonatal death from hypoxic-ischemic injury
Researchers evaluate the role of the placenta in causing stillbirth and neonatal death post-maternal COVID-19 and confirmed placental positivity for SARS-CoV-2. // 16.2.2022
Pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2
A new study evaluated the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women in the third trimester who were infected by SARS-CoV-2 for the detection of the virus in the placenta and different samples of the newborn as well as detection of antibodies in the cord blood. // 16.2.2022
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Effectiveness of Maternal Vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy Against COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization in Infants Aged 6 Months — 17 States, July 2021–January 2022
This report describes maternal mRNA vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalizations among infants under 6 months of age. // 15.2.2022
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women on maternal and perinatal outcomes
Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort analysis by reviewing medical records of pregnant women to examine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 maternal infection on maternal and perinatal outcomes. // 8.2.2022
Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Serious Maternal Morbidity and Mortality From Obstetric Complications
This cohort study evaluates the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with serious maternal morbidity or mortality related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage, or infection other than SARS-CoV-2. // 7.2.2022
