Abstract:

The cause of pneumonia cases of unknown origin in Wuhan, China's Hubei Province, in December 2019 was identified as a coronavirus. Then, the rapidly spreading coronavirus led to the emergence of cases first in China and then in other countries of the world. The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic in February 2020 due to the virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19. The effect of the virus, which has spread rapidly and is fatal, on pregnant women and fetuses, who are more vulnerable to infections in this process, has gained importance. There is no enough evidence indicating vertical transmission to the fetus during pregnancy of mothers infected with COVID-19. However, there have been cases causing preterm labor and fetal distress. It is necessary to take isolation measures, to clamp and cut the cord quickly, and to clean the newborn from maternal fluids during childbirth. There is no enough evidence of vertical transmission from the mother to the infant in cases when these conditions are met. The effective management of infection and maintaining breast milk intake in the postpartum period have positive effects on both maternal and fetal health. This review aimed to examine the presence of vertical transmission of COVID-19 during pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding and the possible consequences of transmission based on scientific data.