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A new respiratory tract infection caused by coronaviruses was identified in 2019 and called Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). It has long been known that pregnant women are not more susceptible to viral illness. However, changes to their immune system in pregnancy can be associated with more severe symptoms. Pregnant women do not seem to be at higher risk than non-pregnant individuals of severe COVID-19 infection. There are currently no data suggesting an increased risk of miscarriage or malformations in relation to coronaviruses. There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Therapeutic options for patients with confirmed COVID-19 have been recently updated as hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin, and favipiravir for severe pneumonia. According to updated national treatment guidelines for COVID-19, favipiravir is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, but lopinavir/ritonavir can be used as second-line therapy. Published experience with COVID-19 during breastfeeding is limited. The main risk of breastfeeding is the close contact between mother and baby. This paper presents a literature review regarding outcomes after use of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and lopinavir/ritonavir during pregnancy and lactation. Hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin use is not expected to increase the risk of birth defects and adverse effects in breastfed infants. Based on reports of human immunodeficiency virus- infected women, lopinavir/ritonavir use does not appear to increase the risk of adverse effects, and it may be chosen in life-threatening situations. It is important to pay special attention to the selection of drugs for COVID-19 and utilize the most up-to-date information to optimize outcomes for both infant and mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new respiratory tract infection caused by coronaviruses was identified in 2019 and called Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). It has long been known that pregnant women are not more susceptible to viral illness. However, changes to their immune system in pregnancy can be associated with more severe symptoms. Pregnant women do not seem to be at higher risk than non-pregnant individuals of severe COVID-19 infection. There are currently no data suggesting an increased risk of miscarriage or malformations in relation to coronaviruses. There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Therapeutic options for patients with confirmed COVID-19 have been recently updated as hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin, and favipiravir for severe pneumonia. According to updated national treatment guidelines for COVID-19, favipiravir is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, but lopinavir/ritonavir can be used as second-line therapy. Published experience with COVID-19 during breastfeeding is limited. The main risk of breastfeeding is the close contact between mother and baby. This paper presents a literature review regarding outcomes after use of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and lopinavir/ritonavir during pregnancy and lactation. Hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin use is not expected to increase the risk of birth defects and adverse effects in breastfed infants. Based on reports of human immunodeficiency virus- infected women, lopinavir/ritonavir use does not appear to increase the risk of adverse effects, and it may be chosen in life-threatening situations. It is important to pay special attention to the selection of drugs for COVID-19 and utilize the most up-to-date information to optimize outcomes for both infant and mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]