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Monkeypox disease and pregnancy. Where are we today? A review of literature

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 417–423 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Monkeypox has emerged as a significant human pathogen, posing severe risks in vulnerable populations. At present, there is not enough data available as to whether pregnant women are more vulnerable to monkeypox infection, or they suffer more severe symptoms, and studies on this issue as well as to the possible adverse effects on the developing fetus are limited. The aim of this review, was to bring together what is known so far about monkeypox virus transmission, the clinical course of the disease, and associated maternal-fetal outcomes. Furthermore, to summarize the current available recommendations on the prevention and management of monkeypox infection during pregnancy, in order to help obstetricians and neonatologists navigate through this new challenging area and provide the best available care to their patients.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Paschalia Kopanou Taliaka, Andreas G. Tsantes.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, “Agios Panteleimon” General Hospital of Nikea, Piraeus, Greece

    Paschalia Kopanou Taliaka, Aikaterini Konstantinidi, Paraskevi Liakou, Evangelia-Filothei Tavoulari & Rozeta Sokou

  2. Microbiology Department, “Saint Savvas” Oncology Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Andreas G. Tsantes

  3. IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Daniele Piovani & Stefanos Bonovas

  4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy

    Daniele Piovani & Stefanos Bonovas

  5. Neonatal Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Nicoletta Iacovidou & Rozeta Sokou

  6. Laboratory of Haematology and Blood Bank Unit, “Attiko” Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Argirios E. Tsantes

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Contributions

Design and conception: RS, PTK and AGT. PKT, RS, AK, PL, EFT, DP, SB, NI, and AET conducted the review of literature. Table design: PKT, PL, and RS. PKT, RS, and NI wrote the first draft of the article. AGT, AK, SB, DP, and AET reviewed all versions of the article and contributed to the interpretation and structure of the review. All authors have contributed to data analysis, data interpretation, and editing of the manuscript, and have approved the final draft.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rozeta Sokou.

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Kopanou Taliaka, P., Tsantes, A.G., Konstantinidi, A. et al. Monkeypox disease and pregnancy. Where are we today? A review of literature. J Perinatol 43, 417–423 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01629-0

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