ArticlePlacenta2021
Pandemic stress and SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with pathological changes at the maternal-fetal interface.
Article in Placenta, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 13 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on infants' development: a rapid review and meta-analysis.European journal of pediatrics · 2023Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Omicron SARS-CoV-2 maternal infection is associated with favorable fetomaternal outcomes and fewer placental vascular malperfusion lesions compared with previous variants.AJOG global reports · 2026Article
- SARS-CoV-2 infects human primary cytotrophoblasts mainly through a non-canonical entry route.Molecular human reproduction · 2026Article
- Maternal Obesity Modifies the Impact of Active SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Placental Pathology.Viruses · 2025Article
- Histological Alterations in Placentas of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Single-Center Case Series.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Impact of COVID-19 on Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of personalized medicine · 2023Review
- Impact of Co-Occurrence of Obesity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy on Placental Pathologies and Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- The Histopathological "Placentitis Triad" Is Specific for SARS-CoV-2 Infection, and Its Acute Presentation Can Be Associated with Poor Fetal Outcome.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Article
- Functional consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, fetoplacental unit, and neonate.Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease · 2023Review
- Placental Ultrasonographical Findings during SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Placental Ultrasonographic Findings Due to COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy: A Case Report.Cureus · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
12 authors at 4 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
introductionThe reported effects of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes are conflicting; studies frequently overlook the placenta, which is critical for the health of the mother and infant(s). This study aimed to determine the effect of pandemic stress ± SARS CoV-2 infection on placental histopathology.
methodsWomen were recruited in Canada (n = 69); France (n = 21) or in the UK (n = 25), between March and October 2020. Historic controls (N = 20) were also included. Placenta and fetal membrane samples were collected rapidly after delivery and were fixed and stained for histopathological analysis. Maternal demographical data and obstetric outcomes were recorded.
resultsOver 80% of the placentas from SARS-CoV-2+ pregnancies had histopathological abnormalities: predominantly structural (71-86%) or inflammatory (9-22%), depending on geographical location. Excessive fibrin was seen in all sites, whereas deciduitis (Canada), calcifications (UK), agglutinations and chorangiosis (France) predominated in different locations. The frequency of abnormalities was significantly higher than in SARS-CoV-2 negative women (50%, p < 0.05). Demographic and obstetric data were similar in the SARS-CoV-2+ women across all sites - characterised by predominantly Black/Middle Eastern women, and women with elevated body mass index. DISCUSSION: Overall, the frequency of placental abnormalities is increased in SARS-CoV-2+ women, but the incidence of placental abnormalities is also higher in SARS-CoV-2- women that gave birth during the pandemic, which highlights the importance of appropriate control groups to ascertain the roles of pandemic stress and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the placenta and pregnancy outcomes.
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Registered trials
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