New coronavirus infection and pregnancy

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, is dangerous for pregnant women, and the probability of infection is the same as in the general population. COVID-19 may be transmitted from person to person through two different routes: airborne and direct contact. Diagnosis of COVID-19 requires the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The main biomaterial for laboratory research is discharge from the nasopharynx and (or) oropharynx. The incubation period for COVID-19 is thought to last from 2 to 14 days, with a median time of 4–5 days. The causative agent of COVID-19 can be detected in the upper respiratory tract 1–2 days before and within 7–14 days after the onset of symptoms. The disease can occur with mild-to-moderate severity, and manifests itself as a respiratory infection (runny nose, sore throat, low-grade fever, with no viral pneumonia and hypoxia). Severe COVID-19 may develop pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, septic shock, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, renal failure, and other complications up to multiple organ failure. Pregnant women with COVID-19 may have complications of pregnancy, such as miscarriage, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, and premature birth. There are no reports of vertical transmission, but some newborns develop intrauterine growth retardation and life-threatening gastrointestinal complications. Thus, pregnant women with a confirmed diagnosis or suspicion of COVID-19 are at high risk for developing pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. Currently, information is being collected on COVID-19 cases in pregnant women, the course of infection, and perinatal outcomes.