Selected Micronutrients can Boost Immunity against COVID-19 and Prevent Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women

The physiological and immunological changes in pregnancy makes the pregnant women more susceptible to respiratory viral infections, including COVID-19, than non-pregnant women. The COVID-19 infection may suppress the immune system during pregnancy and make pregnant women more susceptible to complications. 

The COVID-19 infection is associated with inflammation and cytokine-storm that can cause adverse perinatal outcomes. Moreover, COVID-19 infection associated with diarrhea may affect micronutrient absorptions and increase the risk of micronutrient deficiency in pregnant women. 

Micronutrient deficiency in pregnancy may result reduced immune responses and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, preterm birth, LBW, IUGR, congenital anomalies, and perinatal mortality.

In pregnancy, increased physiological changes require increased nutrient intake to support the fetus's development, placental tissue, and hence successful pregnancy outcomes.

 Sufficient intake of micronutrients can prevent negative pregnancy outcomes and may boost immunity against COVID-19 infection in pregnant women. Due to the malabsorption of micronutrients in COVID-19 infection and the increased requirement of micronutrients in pregnancy, it is highly recommended that pregnant women take the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of micronutrients. Pregnant women are encouraged to take a combination of foods, including fresh vegetables and legumes, fruits, grains, dairy products, meat, and micronutrient supplements. However, excessive intake of micronutrient supplements should be avoided, which may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. 

In this line, randomized clinical studies are needed to explore the impact of individual vitamins on immune function and pregnancy complications associated with micronutrient absorptions. 

Nawsherwan, Khan S, Zeb F, Shoaib M, Nabi G, Ul Haq I, Xu K, Li H. Selected Micronutrients: An Option to Boost Immunity against COVID-19 and Prevent Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women: A Narrative Review. Iran J Public Health. 2020 Nov;49(11):2032-2043. doi: 10.18502/ijph.v49i11.4717. PMID: 33708724; PMCID: PMC7917498.