Monkeypox Virus and Pregnancy

J Med Virol. 2025 Apr;97(4):e70337. doi: 10.1002/jmv.70337.

Abstract

Human monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) present in western Africa and exported sporadically worldwide. MPXV causes illness in individuals and pregnant women which constitute a population at risk with obstetrical and fetal complications including miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery. There are accumulated data suggesting a vertical transmission of MPXV from mother to fetus. This review provides an overview of the literature on MPXV infection in pregnant women with a specific focus on vertical transmission.

Keywords: Monkeypox; fetus; placenta; pregnancy; vertical transmission.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Monkeypox virus* / isolation & purification
  • Mpox, Monkeypox* / epidemiology
  • Mpox, Monkeypox* / transmission
  • Mpox, Monkeypox* / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / virology