A Grave Situation with COVID in the Gravid: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China in December 2019 and its subsequent dissemination to nearly all nations in the world has raised immense concern for human health, especially maternal and child health. Experts across the globe are probing into etiopathogenesis of the virus and developing vaccines and medications to contain the spread and treat the diseased. Numerous research projects have been undertaken to understand the full spectrum of the disease including transmission dynamics and clinical presentation and to evaluate the risk and predictability of vertical transmission. However, there is no reliable evidence that suggests vertical transmission of COVID-19 and this article reviews the existing literature and management protocols regarding the same. With the immuno compromised state of pregnancy and various physiological adaptations associated with it, maternal and foetal safety and management has become a major concern for institutions across the globe, especially in developing countries. The literature reviewed in this narrative article is obtained from articles from various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and various national and international Obstetric and Gynaecological associations using MeSH-compliant keywords including COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, 2019-nCoV upto April 2020.