Evaluation of the Effect of SARS-COV-2 Infection During Pregnancy on Fetal Doppler Ultrasound Parameters: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Aim: The fetal effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) infection have been the subject of controversy since the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the effect of SARS-COV-2 infection on fetal Doppler parameters. Material and Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted at İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between September 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022, on pregnant women confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR testing. Pregnant women who had mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy were compared with a control group of pregnant women not infected with the COVID-19 virus. All Doppler and fetal biometry ultrasound assessments between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation were performed in our unit. Results: Pregnant women infected and not infected with COVID-19 were demographically homogeneous. When the groups were compared in terms of fetal Doppler parameters, including left and right uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), as well as umbilical artery (UA) S/D and PI, no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: We consider that mild to moderate COVID-19 does not affect Doppler ultrasound parameters and fetal well-being during pregnancy.