In a recent study published in the journal EClinicalMedicine , a group of researchers evaluated the association between acquiring Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy and the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) compared to infection outside of pregnancy. Study: Association between acquiring SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: RECOVER electronic health record cohort analysis . Image Credit: Donkeyworx / Shutterstock As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has progressed, the short-term course and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection are well-documented.
Attention is now focused on understanding the long-term health effects, known as PASC or Long COVID. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines PASC as symptoms occurring within three months post-infection, lasting at least two months, and not explained by other diagnoses. PASC affects nearly every organ system, with studies indicating that one-third of COVID-19 patients may develop PASC.
However, little is known about PASC following SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, which is linked to worse perinatal outcomes and maternal morbidity. Further research is necessary to understand its unique impact and to develop targeted interventions for this population. The present retrospective cohort study used data from the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative Patient-Centered Clinical Resear.
