COVID and stillbirths

A new study Thursday in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine showed how COVID-19 can cause stillbirth, by damaging the placenta, which feeds oxygen and nutrients to the baby in utero.

• The study investigated 68 placentas from stillbirths in 12 countries where the tissue was positive for COVID-19.
• The placentas tended to be severely damaged and unable to transmit oxygen.
• More research is needed, but the findings suggest the damage may have come within two weeks of a COVID diagnosis. That indicates the value of close monitoring of a pregnancy for two weeks after a mom’s COVID diagnosis.
• Stillbirth is rare for all women, including women with COVID-19.