Postmortem Documentation of SARS-CoV-2 in Utero and Postpartum Transmission, through Amniotic Fluid, Placental, and Pulmonary Tissue RT-PCR

Abstract

The physiopathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, during pregnancy and in early childhood, is poorly understood. Unfavorable maternal outcomes, the risk of vertical/postpartum transmission, and severe, multisystem involvement in infants and children highlight the importance of developing a cohesive treatment and nuanced prophylaxis strategy. In this study, we evaluate autopsy reports, pathological findings, and SARS-CoV-2 genome expression in three distinct clinical scenarios: maternal death due to severe COVID-19 with in utero fetal demise (27 weeks); mother with moderate COVID-19 and in utero fetal demise (29 weeks); and 2-month-old infant death with confirmed COVID-19 caregivers. We report the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in amniotic fluid and placental tissue in the context of in utero transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but also in postmortem infant pulmonary tissue samples in a case of late postpartum SARS-CoV-2 transmission with asymptomatic, rapidly progressive disease, resulting in infant death. Key pathological findings offer a descriptive portrayal of maternal, in utero, and infantile COVID-19 pathogenesis. Further investigations are necessary to fully comprehend the clinical implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, a prerequisite for adequate therapeutic management and harm reduction.