Immunisation against COVID-19 in Pregnancy and of Women Planning Pregnancy.

Following reports of the first human SARS-CoV2 infection in December 2019 from Wuhan Province, China, there was such rapid spread that by March 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared a pandemic. Over 6.5 million people have died from this infection worldwide, although this is most likely an underestimate. Until vaccines became available, mortality and severe morbidity were costly in terms of life lost as well as the cost of supporting the severely and acutely ill. Vaccination changed the landscape, and following worldwide adoption, life has gradually been returning to normal. The speed of production of the vaccines was unprecedented and undoubtedly ushered in a new era in the science of fighting infections. The developed vaccines were on the already known platforms for vaccine delivery: inactivated virus, virus vector, virus-like particles (VLP) subunit, DNA and mRNA. The mRNA platform was used for the first time to deliver vaccines to humans. An understanding of these platforms and the pros and cons of each are important for clinicians who are often challenged by the recipients on the advantages and risks of these vaccines. These vaccines have so far and reassuringly been shown to be safe in reproduction (with no effect on gametes) and pregnancy (not associated with congenital malformations). However, safety remains paramount and continuing vigilance is critical, especially against rare fatal complications such as vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and myocarditis. Finally, the waning immunity months after vaccination means repeated immunisation is likely to be ongoing, but just how often and how many such revaccinations should be recommended remains uncertain. Research into other vaccines and alternate delivery methods should continue as this infection is likely to be around for a long time.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in pregnancy - An update.

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are small epitheliotropic DNA viruses, of which there are 200 genotypes, 40 of which are known to cause genital infections and are also oncogenic. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Clinical features vary from asymptomatic (identified at routine cervical cancer screening) to large lesions on the vulva, vagina, cervix and some extragenital sites. Its prevalence in pregnancy varies from 5.5% to 65% depending on age, geography and gestational age (increasing with gestational age). Infection in pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes such as spontaneous miscarriage, preterm birth, placental abnormalities and fetal growth restriction. However, the evidence for these adverse outcomes is varied. Besides being oncogenic (and thus associated with cancer of the cervix in pregnancy), vertical transmission to the fetus/neonate can cause neonatal infections, especially juvenile-onset recurrent oral and respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP). Where there are very large lesions on the vulva, delivery may be obstructed. Diagnosis in pregnancy is mainly by viral PCR or from the clinical appearance of the characteristic lesions on the vulva. Treatment is local by either surgical or laser excision or application of trichloroacetic acid. Podophyllin/podophyllotoxin is contraindicated in pregnancy. HPV Infection is not an indication for caesarean delivery as this has not been shown to prevent vertical transmission. For those diagnosed at routine cervical cancer screening, management should follow guidelines for cervical cancer screening in pregnancy. Vaccination is currently not recommended for pregnant women, although studies on those inadvertently vaccinated in pregnancy have not shown any adverse effects on either the fetus or mother.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2 infection (COVID-19) in pregnancy - An overview.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2 which causes COVID-19 disease results in severe morbidity and mortality especially in vulnerable groups. Pregnancy by virtue of its physiological and anatomical adaptations increases the risk of severe infections especially those of the respiratory tract. This single stranded RNA virus is transmitted by droplets as well as soiled fomites. There are various degrees of disease severity- asymptomatic, mild, moderate severe and critical. Most infections in pregnancy are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. For these women, the consequences on the mother or pregnancy are minimal unless they have additional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiorespiratory disease, obesity or are of ethnic minority background. Most women with symptoms will present with fever, unproductive cough, sore throat, myalgia, nasal congestion, loss of smell and taste with associated leukocytosis and lymphopenia. Diagnosis is by RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal flocked swabs or saliva and pathognomonic features of ground-glass appearance and pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray or CT scans. Management in pregnancy is same as that for non-pregnant women with COVID-19. It is not an indication for elective delivery but assisted delivery in the second stage for those with moderate, severe or critical disease may be required to shorten this stage. COVID-19 is not an indication for interrupting pregnancy or caesarean section but the latter may be performed to facilitate ventilation support or resuscitation in those with severe disease. Pain relief in labour should not be different but regional analgesia is preferred for operative deliveries. Postpartum thromboprophylaxis should be considered and breast feeding encouraged with appropriate precautions to minimize vertical transmission. Pregnant and lactating women should be encouraged to receive the mRNA based vaccines as there is no evidence of adverse outcomes with these.

Ultrasound diagnosis of infections in pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a unique period in which several changes occur in the mother, to ensure that the semiallograft fetus is not rejected. Some of these changes decrease the immunity of the mother to infections. As such, some infections in pregnancy which may not ordinarily cause severe symptoms can be more severe in the mother and importantly some of these infections pose a danger to the fetus either directly or indirectly. In dealing with infections in pregnancy, attention should focus on both the consequences of the infection on the mother as well as in the fetus. Over the last decade, some of these infections have significantly influenced clinical practice. This series on Infections in Pregnancy in this journal provides a comprehensive cover of this topic. Here we focus on the fetal impact of infections in pregnancy and how ultrasound scan can help in identifying some of these infections and more importantly map out pathways for managing the pregnancies including counselling and additional invasive procedures.