Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Ability to Pass Through the Placenta

Abstract

Context: Recently, a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as the cause of COVID-19 has made a global health crisis and a great challenge. Pregnant women and fetuses are among the high-risk groups for COVID-19. In this review, we summarize studies regarding SARS-CoV-2 virus-placenta interactions at the maternal-fetal interface by demonstrating the pathogenicity of the virus and defense methods of the placenta. Evidence Acquisition: In the present study, a search was done in domestic and international databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus using specific keywords (“Coronavirus” OR “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2”) AND (“Fetus” OR “Placenta”) AND (“Pregnancy”), limited until August 2020. Finally, we reviewed 250 articles. Results: Generally, the pathogenicity and the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and virus entry and replication methods allow the virus to pass through the placenta, although there are hormonal and immune barriers in the placenta against SARS-CoV-2, such as placental type interferons. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 can pass through the placenta, but there are defense methods against it.