Intrauterine fetal death in a COVID positive pregnant woman

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 disease mechanisms are not yet fully understood, especially in cases affecting pregnant women. In fact, although they suffer from the same symptoms as non-pregnant women, they are more susceptible to-adverse outcomes of COVID-19 as well as pregnancy complications leading to stillbirth, premature rupture of membrane, or intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). The consequences on pregnancy are not clearly correlated with the severity of the infection. We present a case of fetal death in a 30-year-old woman with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection without any other significant clinical or obstetric disorders. A histopathological examination of the placenta indicated massive and diffuse intervillar fibrinoid deposits associated with chronic histiocytic intervillositis that can be associated with SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. Given the high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnancy, it is important to understand the factors that determine negative pregnancy outcomes, regardless of the severity of the patient's symptoms.