COVID-19 has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, with considerable consequences for both health and the economy. In pregnant women, COVID-19 can alter the metabolic environment, iron metabolism, and oxygen supply of trophoblastic cells, and therefore have a negative influence on essential mechanisms of fetal development. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with regard to the oxidative/antioxidant status in mothers’ serum and placenta, together with placental iron metabolism. Results showed no differences in superoxide dismutase activity and placental antioxidant capacity. However, antioxidant capacity decreased in the serum of infected mothers. Catalase activity decreased in the COVID-19 group, while an increase in 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, hydroperoxides, 15-FT-isoprostanes, and carbonyl groups were recorded in this group. Placental vitamin D, E, and Coenzyme-Q10 also showed to be increased in the COVID-19 group. As for iron-related proteins, an up-regulation of placental DMT1, ferroportin-1, and ferritin expression was recorded in infected women. Due to the potential role of iron metabolism and oxidative stress in placental function and complications, further research is needed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 that may affect pregnancy, so as to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes in mothers’ and infants’ health.

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a pivotal role in influencing both maternal and fetal health, impacting neonatal anthropometric outcomes and long-term disease susceptibility. An advanced maternal age (AMA ≥ 35 years) has been linked to increased risks of obstetric complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, yet its specific nutritional profile remains underexplored. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient and polyphenol intakes of women at an AMA compared to those of a younger control group and to investigate associations with neonatal anthropometric measures. Methods: A cohort of 200 pregnant women, stratified into AMA and control groups, completed a food frequency questionnaire during the second trimester. Neonatal anthropometric data were collected at delivery. Results: Intakes of fiber, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamins E, B1, B3 and folate were lower in the AMA group in comparison with the control values. Negative correlations were found between fiber, vitamin A and vitamin E and the head circumference of the newborn, with fiber being identified as a potential predictor of this parameter. Conclusions: Despite some limitations, such as the fact that the FFQ was completed only once during pregnancy and the cross-sectional design of the study, the findings highlight notable nutritional deficiencies among AMA women, which may influence neonatal outcomes such as head circumference. These results underscore the need for nutritional guidelines and supplementation strategies tailored to pregnant women over 35 years of age.

Background: In pregnant women, COVID-19 can alter the metabolic environment, cell metabolism, and oxygen supply of trophoblastic cells and, therefore, have a negative influence on essential mechanisms of fetal development. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with regard to the bone turnover and endocrine function of several metabolic biomarkers in colostrum and placenta. Methods: One hundred and twenty-four pregnant mothers were recruited from three hospitals between June 2020 and August 2021 and assigned to two groups: Control group and COVID-19 group. Metabolism biomarkers were addressed in placental tissue and colostrum. Results: Lipocalin-2 and resistin levels were higher in the placenta, revealing an underlying pro-inflammatory status in the gestation period for mothers suffering from COVID-19; a decrease in GLP-1 and leptin was also observed in this group. As for adiponectin, resistin, and insulin, their concentrations showed an increase; a decrease in GLP-1, leptin, and PYY was also reported in the colostrum of mothers suffering from COVID-19 compared with the control group. Conclusions: As for bone turnover, placental samples from mothers with COVID-19 showed lower levels of OPG, while DKK-1 increased compared with the control group. Colostrum samples showed higher levels of OPG, SOST, and PTH in the COVID-19 group, a fact that could have noteworthy implications for energy metabolism, fetal skeletal development, and postnatal bone density and mineralization. Further research is needed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 that may affect pregnancy, so as to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes in infants’ health.

Advanced maternal age (AMA), increasingly prevalent worldwide, is linked to obstetric risk even in clinically uncomplicated pregnancies. Mitochondria are essential for trophoblast metabolism and stress adaptation, and their alteration is associated with gestational pathologies. However, it remains unclear whether maternal age alone alters placental mitochondrial homeostasis. Human placentas from AMA and control pregnancies were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to assess mitochondrial ultrastructure and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contacts (MERCs). Western blotting was used to evaluate regulators of mitochondrial fusion, fission, and mitophagy. placentas from AMA pregnancies showed a significant increase in mitochondrial number in both syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells, with regional variation between maternal and foetal sides. Despite increased abundance, mitochondria were smaller (reduced area and perimeter), indicating a fragmented phenotype, while circularity was unchanged. MERCs exhibited decreased distance and increased ER coverage, suggesting enhanced stress signaling and fission. Western blotting revealed decreased MFN1 with increased OPA1 and DRP1 expression, whereas MFN2, FIS1, and DNM2 remained unchanged. Mitophagy markers were dysregulated, with reduced OPTN and BNIP3 but elevated FUNDC1. AMA is associated with fragmented and stress-adapted placental mitochondria, showing structural imbalance in dynamics and altered quality control even in the absence of clinical pathology. These features may reflect reduced placental capacity to buffer metabolic and stress challenges and contribute to increased vulnerability in pregnancies of older mothers, positioning mitochondria as a potential target for monitoring and improving outcomes in this population.