Placenta – the key witness of COVID-19 in pregnancy?

Introduction. The protective role of the placental barrier to bacterial and viral infections, the immune tolerance of the fetus still represents a medical challenge and subject of research. The impact of COVID-19 in pregnancies is continuously discussed especially because COVID-19 maternal infection has been the cause for unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Materials and method. We performed database research with the terms: “COVID-19”, “placenta”, and “pathology” in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and Cochrane. Results. The research revealed 457 results. Even though there are published numerous reports, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the developing fetus remains unclear. Most publications admit that vertical transmission is unusual; but there is evidence that placental and fetal infection may occur. Placentas from patients with COVID-19 are inflammatory, thrombotic, and vascular changes that have been found in other inflammatory conditions. Peculiar lesions such as chorangiosis where identified. It may be considered that the inflammatory impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy could justify adverse obstetrics and neonatal events. The impact of vaccine against SARSCoV-2 on placental represents another subject of debate. Conclusions. This presentation will expose the known literature and self-experience about the placenta in SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible outcomes of prenatal exposure to the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]