COVID-19, Pregnancy, and Diabetes Mellitus: The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and the Impact on Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Helmut J. Kleinwechter - , Diabetes Center and Diabetes Education Center (Author)
  • Katharina S. Weber - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Tatjana P. Liedtke - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Ute Schäfer-Graf - , St. Joseph Hospital Berlin Tempelhof (Author)
  • Tanja Groten - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Mario Rüdiger - , Department of Paediatrics, Center for feto/neonatal Health (Author)
  • Ulrich Pecks - , Kiel University, University of Würzburg (Author)

Abstract

During the severe acute respiratory distress virus coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, many women were infected during their pregnancies. The SARS-CoV-2-induced coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has an impact on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes; peripartum and perinatal morbidity and mortality are increased. Pregnancy is considered a risk factor for severe COVID-19 course. Additional risk factors during pregnancy are diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and obesity. Systemic inflammation can lead to severe metabolic dysregulation with ketoacidosis. The endocrine pancreas is a target organ for SARS-CoV-2 and the fetal risk depends on inflammation of the placenta. Up to now there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy leads to permanent diabetes in mothers or their offspring via triggering autoimmunity or beta cell destruction. The frequently observed increased prevalence of GDM compared to the years before the pandemic is most likely due to changed lifestyle during lockdown. Furthermore, severe COVID-19 may be associated with the development of GDM due to worsening of glucose tolerance. Vaccination with a mRNA vaccine is safe and highly effective to prevent infection and to reduce hospitalization. Registries support offering evidence-based recommendations on vaccination for pregnant women. Even with the current omicron virus variant, there are increased risks for symptomatic and unvaccinated pregnant women.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalZeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie
Early online date2 Nov 2023
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2 Nov 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85176142687

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Diabetes mellitus, Pandemic, Pregnancy, SARS-CoV-2