Study shows how COVID-19 pandemic changed pregnant women’s placentas

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

A new study reveals that the placentas of pregnant women changed during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they didn't catch the virus.

Researchers believe that stress and uncertainty led to a drop in the quality of placentas, including their structure and texture.

And this in turn could mean that babies born of affected women suffer neuro-developmental problems as they grow up.

The temporary organ provides oxygen and nutrients and removes waste products from a fetus' blood.

It attaches to the wall of the uterus, the umbilical cord arises from it and infants growing in the womb may have been deprived, say scientists.

The findings highlight the under-appreciated link between the well-being of pregnant women and the future health of their unborn children.

Long-term impacts are currently under investigation.

Lead author Dr. Catherine Limperopoulos, director of the Developing Brain Institute at Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, said: "During the pandemic, mothers were exposed to a litany of negative stressors including social distancing, fear of dying, financial insecurity and more.

"We now know this vital organ was changed for many mothers - and it's essential we continue to investigate the impact this may have had on children who were born during this global public health crisis."

Her team compared MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of 165 women pregnant before March 2020 to 63 peers who conceived during the pandemic.

The latter group was not knowingly exposed to the coronavirus - and scored significantly higher on average on questionnaires measuring stress and depression.

They were taking part in a clinical trial at Children's National aimed at reducing pregnant women's elevated stress levels during the pandemic.

The data showed key changes in how the placenta grew and developed. These were also associated with the infant’s birth weight at delivery.

Importantly, they seem to be connected to maternal stress and depression symptoms.

Taken as a whole, the findings suggest that disturbances in the womb may influence the placenta's ability to support fetal health and wellness.

Dr. Limperopoulos said: "We are continuing to follow up on these mother-baby dyads to determine the long-term functional significance of these placental changes in utero."

Studies have shown the placenta adapts to negative changes in the maternal environment and mental health status.

The phenomenon affects infant brain development and children's behavior and temperament.

Dr. Limperopoulos' research builds on her extensive work investigating the impact of maternal stress on unborn children - including its adverse effect on brain structure and biochemistry.

She's also working on treatments and interventions to support new families better.

Her program, DC Mother-Baby Wellness, brings together community partners to provide wrap-around care to expectant and new mums with elevated scores for stress, anxiety and depression.

Dr Limperopoulos said: "When identified, early maternal stress is a modifiable risk factor that can be treated with psychotherapy, social support and other personalized, evidence-based interventions.

"We look forward to continued research in this area to better understand the mechanisms behind these biological changes and the needs of mothers and children who are born during pandemics, natural disasters and other significantly stressful events."

A previous study of 4,000 pregnant women in the UK and the US found rates of placental problems tripled among mothers with COVID-19 - but doubled among those who never caught the virus.

Experts say pandemic-related stress can trigger inflammation and structural changes. Charities have called for more research into whether it puts mothers and babies at risk.

Around one-in-500 women in the UK and the US suffer from placental problems annually.

The study is in the journal Scientific Reports.