The susceptibility of pregnant women during viral pandemics – A mini-review

The immune system is a system that consists of the reaction of the organism to the aggression of invading pathogens. The immune system is composed of: the innate immune system or nonspecific immunity, and the acquired immune system or specific immunity. During pregnancy, the maternal immune system changes constantly. The objective of this review is to evaluate the results from studies made in the field of reproductive immunology about the susceptibility of pregnant women to infectious diseases. Most studies show that pregnant women may be at a higher risk and more susceptible to infectious diseases. This is due to the continuous immune system modulating that occurs during pregnancy. This immunity modulated during normal pregnancy consists of decreased the acquired immune system or specific immunity (B-cells are absent, while T lymphocytes constitute about 3-10% of the decidual immune cells). We conclude that pregnant women may be at a higher risk and more susceptible to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Therefore, we recommend special care and correct observance of measures such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, the use of masks, and all other measures that are given to the general population during viral pandemics, while pregnant women who become ill with COVID-19 should be treated aggressively. Furthermore, concrete plans must be developed (with more specific measures) for this higher-risk population, while ensuring that women receive the necessary care.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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