Assessing the impact of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women and their babies

Researchers at the Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health in Edinburgh are collaborating with scientists from across Scotland to assess the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy on the health of women and their babies.

  • Authors list

    Dr Sarah Stock, Dr David McAllister, Dr Eleftheria Vasileiou, Professor Colin R Simpson, Dr Helen R Stagg, Dr Utkarsh Agrawal, Professor Colin McCowan, Leanne Hopkins, Jack Donaghy, Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie, Professor Chris Robertson, Professor Aziz Sheikh, Dr Rachael Wood

    Start date: 2020
    End date: 2021

This project took place at our Edinburgh centre which operated between 2008 and 2021.

Why do we need this research?

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the UK in March 2020, pregnant women were classed as an ‘at risk’ group and advised to shield. While the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy remain unclear, there is growing evidence to suggest that pregnant women may be at increased risk of becoming severely unwell if they catch it, particularly in the third trimester. Sometimes this may lead to complications like premature birth or stillbirth.

We need to find out more about the effects of COVID-19 infection on the health of mothers and their babies, so that pregnant women can be provided with the best possible care and advice.

What’s happening in this project?

Tommy’s researchers are collaborating with scientists from around Scotland to carry out a study that will find out more about the effects of COVID-19 infection on the health of pregnant women and their babies. The study includes all women in Scotland who were pregnant on 1st March 2020, or who became pregnant after this date, and all births in Scotland from the 1st March 2020 onwards. 

By looking at the health records of these pregnant women and their babies, the researchers are finding out how many were infected with COVID-19, and are exploring whether there are any links between COVID-19 infection or vaccination and poor outcomes for either mother or baby during or after pregnancy. The team will also find out how many babies contracted COVID-19 from their mothers.

What difference will this project make?

It is important that we have a thorough understanding of the impact of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy so that women and their babies can be cared for appropriately. The results of this study will also be helpful as researchers begin to explore the effectiveness and safety of drug treatments or vaccination for COVID-19 among pregnant women.