Cerebrospinal fluid analysis of pregnant women at early stages of COVID-19

Objective To determine the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid of pregnant women at early stages of COVID-19. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective observational study with pregnant women undergoing cesarean section and real-time polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 was performed in the cerebrospinal fluid in the early stages of COVID-19. Results Fourteen pregnant women, whose COVID-19 symptoms started between four to 18 days prior to delivery, were included. Eleven of the women reported anosmia, dysgeusia, and headaches and there were two fatal cases. SARS-Cov-2 was not present in the cerebrospinal fluid of these COVID-19 patients with early neurological symptoms, even in severe cases. Conclusion Our study suggests that peripheric cell damage and parainfectious phenomena may predominate over direct central nervous system injury in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 related early neurological symptoms on pregnant women.