Does HPV positive pregnancy have any effect on the fetus?

HPV, whose full Chinese name is human papillomavirus infection, is a spherical DNA virus, which is divided into non-high-risk type and high-risk type. HPV infection can cause proliferation of the squamous epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the body. Persistent high-risk HPV positivity (persistent infection) in women can cause cervical cancer. So, what effects does HPV infection have on pregnancy? Let’s take a look together.

1. Effects of HPV infection on embryo implantation and early pregnancy

HPV infection of the reproductive system during pregnancy can cause HPV infection of the uterine wall and trophoblastic cells, which are key elements for embryo implantation. The resulting infection will inevitably affect the adhesion of sperm and egg and embryo implantation, thereby affecting pregnancy. In vitro studies have shown that HPV can be transmitted through the embryo and cause some pregnancy-related diseases, such as hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma.

2The impact of HPV infection on fetuses and newborn babies

Some studies have reported that HPV-DNA can be detected in sperm cells, and some studies have indeed detected the gene expression of HPV 16 in male sperm, which explains why women with negative HPV tests can give birth to HPV-infected fetuses. Studies have also found that HPV-DNA is expressed in eggs. It is not difficult to see that HPV infection can occur at the somatic cell level, so the test tube embryos after fertilization will also suffer the same infection. If HPV infection occurs at the somatic cell level, the test tube embryo or fetus after fertilization will also be infected. Therefore, although there is currently no clinical research evidence to directly prove that somatic cell infection will cause test tube embryo abnormalities, it is theoretically possible that the incidence of test tube embryo abnormalities may increase significantly after sperm and/or egg cells infected with HPV produce sperm and egg fertilization. As a result, test tube embryo abnormalities, embryo abnormalities, fetal malformations, etc. may occur, followed by spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy, premature births, etc.

3 Effect of pregnancy on HPV infection

The HPV infection rate in pregnant women is higher than that in non-pregnant women, and the HPV infection rate in different pregnancy periods is different. The reason for the increase in HPV infection during pregnancy is that the increase in pregnancy-related female hormones such as estrogen after pregnancy makes HPV copies active. In addition, changes in the immune function of pregnant women and increased secretions are also conducive to the invasion and reproduction of HPV, resulting in an increase in the incidence of clinical HPV infection during pregnancy.

Therefore, HPV infection still has a certain impact on pregnant women, fetuses and newborn babies. In addition, the risk of HPV infection during pregnancy is higher than during non-pregnancy. Therefore, for young women infected with HPV, it is recommended to wait until the HPV infection result turns negative before preparing for pregnancy. Those infected with HPV during pregnancy should be actively tested and treated. Of course, for older women, after weighing the pros and cons of fertility and HPV infection, they can consider treating HPV infection while preparing for pregnancy, but they must be aware of the existing risks and do a good job of close testing.