COVID-19: Assessing the vulnerability of the fetus to SARS-CoV2 infection across development

Numerous studies have shown, that pandemic coronavirus strains such as SARS enter the patient body through ACE2, a specific protein expressed in the airways. ACE2 is important for controlling blood pressure and it is increased in patients with hypertension and kidney conditions. Both of these groups are known to be more susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has been observed that infants and children are less susceptible to severe infection, with extremely low numbers reported across the world requiring intensive care. Strikingly, newborns seems to be unaffected by this condition, even when the mother tested positive for COVID-19. While the data available are still limited, this has led the UK Governement to define pregnant women as a 'high-risk' group. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms behind the low incidence of complications in fetuses and newborns. Our hypothesis is that the fetus is not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection because it lacks the ACE2, in tissues that may be exposed to the virus during development and early postnatal care. Our study will provide the health service and advisory boards with new data, that will help inform updated guidance to pregnant mothers during the current pandemic.