Histopathological Changes in the Placentas of Pregnant Women with COVID-19

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the placental histopathologic structure in placentas of COVID-19 pregnant patients. Materials and Methods: In our study, small pieces of placentas of 20 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 and 20 normal pregnant women admitted to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were obtained for histologic follow-up. Placenta samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscopy. Results: Placentas of the control group showed normal histologic structure. In the placenta samples of the patients belonging to the COVID-19 group, increased apoptotic process with pyknotic changes in the nuclei of decidua cells was observed. Fibrinoid tissue areas were significantly increased and syncytial bridges were enlarged in chorionic villi. In the area where the root villi were located, the membrane structure was disrupted with excessive thinning of the basement membrane and the vessels were highly dilated and congested. In the intervillous area, there were abundant free scattered erythrocytes, leukocyte invasion and hyalinized areas in the villous area. Conclusion: As a result of the histopathological changes observed in the placental tissues of the COVID-19 group in our study, we concluded that COVID-19 induces degenerative changes in placental structure. Keywords: COVID-19, placenta, histopathology