Research reveals why it's rare for unborn babies to get Covid-19

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Foetuses are rarely infected with Covid-19 because the placenta produces very small amounts of the receptor that the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 ) latches on to when it invades human cells, according to a study.

The placenta plays a role in stopping harmful substances from being passed down from a mother to her unborn child — but certain pathogens like the Zika virus are known to cross this barrier frequently.

The researchers found it lacked the instructions required to manufacture a protein called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 , which is found throughout the body in adults.

 

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