Enhanced fetal hematopoiesis in response to symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, women are more prone to respiratory infectious diseases. It is not known if COVID-19 infection has an adverse effect on the growing fetus. Here, we aimed to identify any potential effects of COVID-19 infection on the fetus by taking measurements from the umbilical cord blood cells. In mothers who displayed symptomatic COVID-19 infection, we observed an increased production of hematopoietic progenitor cells, especially the ones that are responsible for producing red blood cells. We think this might be a coping mechanism for the fetus, as the mother's body deals with the infection. Therefore, our work shows that growing fetuses do respond to maternal COVID-19 symptoms, even when they are protected in the womb from the infection and may never get infected by the mother.