Motherisk International, a Medical Journal Focused on Fetal and Maternal Health, Consolidates Expert Guidance on Fetal, Neonatal and Maternal Risks Associated with Coronavirus Infection

TEL AVIV, Israel, March 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Motherisk International Journal, an online medical journal focused on facilitating knowledge-sharing on maternal-fetal health risks, today announced the publication of a new article relating to fetal, neonatal and maternal risks associated with SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease.¹ The publication summarizes what is known about coronavirus infection in pregnant and nursing women based on preliminary reports from China and previous reports on other coronavirus-associated diseases, such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). It also includes links to related information from multiple national health agencies.

"Since our inception in 1985, Motherisk has focused on providing real-world data that help clinicians treat the mother while protecting the unborn," said Gideon Koren, MD, Professor, Adelson Faculty of Medicine at Ariel University, head of the Motherisk Israel Program at Shamir Hospital, and Editor in Chief of Motherisk International Journal "In January 2020 we launched Motherisk International Journal as on-line forum for rapidly disseminating new insights into the fetal and maternal risks of drugs, infectious agents, and an array of environmental and psychosocial factors. Our newly published paper reporting what is and is not known about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease on pregnant and lactating mothers and their babies exemplifies our mission in action."

Much remains unknown about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease on pregnant and lactating mothers and their babies. Data from prior SARS and MERS outbreaks indicate that pregnant women infected with the viruses that cause these diseases did not exhibit more severe disease compared with women who weren't pregnant.² Additionally, the family of coronaviruses that cause SARS, MERS and COVID-19 is not presently associated with effects on fetal development.² There are sparse and conflicting reports related to potential maternal-fetal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and impact of infection on miscarriage.²

Motherisk will post additional information about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease on pregnant and lactating mothers and their babies as it becomes available.

About Motherisk International Journal
Motherisk International Journal is dedicated to the medical field of fetal and maternal risks of drugs, chemicals, radiation, infections and other environmental factors, as well as psychosocial risks. The journal aims to provide balanced information that synthesizes risks and benefits to both mother and baby, filling a gap in a field largely focused on adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Obstetricians, perinatologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, pharmacologists, toxicologists, teratologists, pharmacists, geneticists, internists, obstetric medicine specialists, ethicists, and psychosocial clinicians and scientists are invited to submit brief, evidence-based updates for publication. For additional information, please visit https://motheriskinternational.com/about/.

Contact Information
Amy Feldman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-212-867-1779

¹ De-Haan T, Dinavitser N, Cohen R, Berkovitch M and Berlin M. The Corona Pandemic – Safety/Risk of COVID 19 During Pregnancy and Lactation. Pubished March 17, 2020. Available at: https://motheriskinternational.com/the-corona-pandemic-safety-risk-of-covid-19-during-pregnancy-and-lactation/.
² Schwartz DA et al. Potential Maternal and Infant Outcomes from (Wuhan) Coronavirus 2019-nCoV Infecting Pregnant Women: Lessons from SARS, MERS, and Other Human Coronavirus Infections. Viruses. 2020 Feb 10;12(2). pii: E194. 

SOURCE Motherisk