IVIM diffusion parameter highlights placental microstructural damage in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 pregnancy infection

Motivation: Currently, no study has investigated the role of diffusion-MRI to assess the placenta of women getting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Goal(s): To study the placental tissues abnormalities due to the infection. Approach: Pregnant women COVID-19 group (n=14) and pre-pandemic healthy women (n=19) were investigated using IVIM protocol at 1.5T. Results: D was significantly higher in the COVID-19 compared to that of the age-matched healthy group. No-significant difference between f values was found in the two groups suggesting no-specific microstructural damage with no-perfusion alteration. A significant negative correlation was found between D and GA only in the COVID-19 reflecting a possible senescence process due to COVID-19. Impact: Diffusion MRI underline higher D value in SARS-Cov-2 compared to healthy placentas, which can be explained as a microstructural deterioration of the placental tissue. Further investigations will allow us better to understand the effects of SARS-Cov-2 infection on human tissues.