Is There a Relationship between COVID-19 Infection and the Occurrence of Anencephaly? Observation of the Maternity of Mohammed the VI University Hospital of Marrakech

Abstract

Introduction: Morocco has experienced, like the whole world, the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the writing of this article, a subjective observation of the increase in the number of anencephaly has been observed in our facility. And since the teratogenic potential of the SARS Cov 2 virus is not sufficiently documented, we wondered if there would be a relationship between the relatively high number of anencephalic fetuses and COVID-19 infection. Aim: the objective of the study is to look for a possible correlation between the period of conception of these anencephalies and the pandemic. Material and methods: This is a retrospective study (from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2022 in the Obstetrics Gynecology department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, CADI AYYAD UNIVERSITY Marrakech Morocco) consisting of the analysis of the number of patients in the target embryonic period (namely the closure of the neural tube: D18 to D30 of embryonic life) compared to the reference curves of the evolution of the SARS Cov2 pandemic. Results: The analysis of the number of patients at the target embryonic phase shows that many of our anencephalons (63%) were conceived during periods of high diffusion of the SARS Cov 2 virus in Morocco. Conclusion: Our study suggests a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of anencephaly, we cannot, however, highlight the type of direct or indirect relationship that binds them. Therefore, further studies should be considered to better investigate this relationship.