Stillbirth in the third trimester in a mother with type 1 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: an autopsy and histopathology case report of the fetus and placenta

Abstract

Ever since the emergence of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19), there have been multiple reports on its effect on maternal health. Recently there have also been reports on fetal risk and placental changes. Herein we report the placental and fetal finding in a 19-year-old Caucasian female with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19, who suffered a spontaneous miscarriage in the 35th gestational week. No specific virus-induced changes in the fetus were observed, with the only pathological changes being the aspiration of amniotic fluid and asymmetry in height and weight. Placental and umbilical histopathology showed chorangiosis, chorionic villi edema, increased fibrinoid deposition, increased syncytial knots, thrombi with organization, and recanalization in subamniotic blood vessels as well as umbilical thrombosis. All these changes point towards increased placental aging, which is likely to be a result of the infection aggravating the mother's condition and not directly damaging the placenta and fetus itself.