COVID-19
Our research in this area
- Bereaved parents’ experiences during COVID-19
- Impact on early pregnancy and miscarriage care
- Impact on hospital services
- Inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials
- Maternal transmission of SARS-COV-2 to the neonate
- SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis
Key publications
| Category | Category | Keywords | Year | Title | Abstract | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2025 |
Global maternal mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
Rates of deaths in pregnant and recently pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection vary significantly across regions and by country income groups, with the highest burden in Sub-Saharan Africa and low-income countries. COVID-19 is the main reported cause of death. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2024 |
Effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines on maternal and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related complications in pregnant women. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2024 |
SARS-CoV-2 positivity in offspring and timing of mother-to-child transmission: living systematic review and meta-analysis |
A detailed review of the evidence around rates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in babies born to mothers with COVID-19 infection showed that these rates were low, and were more likely in women with severe disease, and confirmed that vertical transmission was possible, although rare. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Perinatal pathology, Pregnancy after loss, Stillbirth | 2024 |
SARS-CoV-2—Placental effects and association with stillbirth |
During the COVID-19 pandemic a clear link between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and poor fetal outcomes was observed. In this paper, we discuss: stillbirth during COVID-19; diagnosis and link with placentitis; outcomes; vaccination; role of MDT/collaboration; management of next pregnancy. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Experience, Impact, Miscarriage, Recurrent miscarriage | 2023 |
‘An extra level of kind of torment’: Views and experiences of recurrent miscarriage care during the initial phases of COVID-19 in Ireland—A qualitative interview study |
Our analysis provides rich insights into the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the way recurrent miscarriage care is provided & experienced, with important implications for early pregnancy, miscarriage & recurrent miscarriage care. Deprioritisation of miscarriage services is of particular concern. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Experience, COVID-19, Neonatal death, Stillbirth | 2022 |
Multicountry study protocol of COCOON: COntinuing Care in COVID-19 Outbreak global survey of new, expectant, and bereaved parent experiences |
This international study aims to understand the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and the experiences of parents who have accessed maternity, neonatal and bereavement care services across 15 countries. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2022 |
Recruitment of pregnant women to randomised trials of COVID 19 treatments, and pharmaceutical treatments received outside such trials: A research article |
Even though pregnant women with COVID-19 were excluded from randomised trials in our review of observational studies, they still received unproven or ineffective treatments. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Miscarriage, Neonatal death, Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2022 |
Placental tissue destruction and insufficiency from COVID-19 causes stillbirth and neonatal death From hypoxic-ischemic injury: A study of 68 cases with SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis from 12 countries |
A study of 68 cases of COVID-19 related placental infection (SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis) from 12 countries shows that placental tissue injury from COVID-19 causes stillbirth and neonatal death through hypoxic-ischemic injury. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Miscarriage, Neonatal death, Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2022 |
Fetal deaths in Ireland due to SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 Alpha |
COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 Alpha was associated with seven fetal deaths in the Republic of Ireland in early 2021. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2022 |
SARS-CoV-2 positivity in offspring and timing of mother-to-child transmission: living systematic review and meta-analysis |
A detailed review of the evidence around rates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in babies born to mothers with COVID-19 infection showed that these rates were low, and were more likely in women with severe disease, and confirmed that vertical transmission was possible, although rare. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Stillbirth | 2022 |
COVID-19 and pregnancy: A comparison of case reports, case series and registry studies |
Case reports and retrospective series published early on in the COVID-19 pandemic had useful information, but overestimated maternal, fetal and neonatal complications related to COVID-19 infection when compared with later prospective registries. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2021 |
Early pregnancy in the Emergency Department and the effect of COVID-19 |
COVID-19 changed the way in which women sought guidance and accessed services in early pregnancy. During the first wave in 2020, there was a 38% decrease in women attending the emergency department, and 16% increase in women contacting the department for advice. | More details Read publication |
|
Guidelines |
Guidelines | Clinical guideline(s), COVID-19 | 2021 |
COVID-19 Infection: Guidance for Maternity Services |
Guideline produced for The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2021. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2021 |
Haemostatic and thrombo-embolic complications in pregnant women with COVID-19: a systematic review and critical analysis |
Coagulopathy and thromboembolism are both increased in pregnancies affected by COVID-19 infection. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2021 |
SARS-CoV-2 placentitis: An uncommon complication of maternal COVID-19 |
We present a case of third trimester pregnancy with SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced fetal movements. Placental histology showed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis that may be a marker of potential vertical transmission, possibly causing fetal compromise through placental injury. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Pregnancy after loss, Stillbirth | 2021 |
Counting stillbirths and COVID 19-there has never been a more urgent time |
Stillbirths must be included in all analyses on the global impact of COVID-19. Missed opportunities to include stillbirths in ongoing research and analyses will compromise the crucial need to uncover the drivers of increased stillbirth rates during the COVID 19 pandemic. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Stillbirth | 2020 |
A review of stillbirth definitions: A rationale for change |
Study shows that with improving survival rates for periviable infants, the stillbirth definition in Ireland should be reviewed to include to ?22 weeks’ gestation and ?400?g in line with improved medical developments. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2020 |
Maternal transmission of SARS-COV-2 to the neonate, and possible routes for such transmission: a systematic review and critical analysis |
Risk of neonatal infection with COVID-19 by delivery route, infant feeding and mother-baby interaction. Neonatal COVID-19 infection is uncommon, rarely symptomatic, and the rate of infection is no greater when the baby is born vaginally, breastfed or remains with the mother. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Pregnancy after loss, Stillbirth | 2020 |
Pregnancy after loss during the COVID19 pandemic |
Bereaved mothers and their families experiencing a pregnancy after loss should continue to be supported during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit unintended consequences. | More details Read publication |
Our people
- Professor Keelin O’Donoghue
- Dr Brendan Fitzgerald
- Marita Hennessy PhD
- Dr Laura Linehan
- Dr Margaret Murphy