Mother-to-child transmission of coronavirus⁽¹⁾ not yet clear

There is no definitive⁽²⁾ answer as to whether the novel⁽³⁾ coronavirus can transmit between pregnant women and their fetuses⁽⁴⁾, a Chinese obstetrics⁽⁵⁾ specialist said recently. 

The current approach regarding treatment of pregnant women confirmed to have the virus is to prioritize⁽⁶⁾ the safety of the adult while taking a comprehensive view of her health conditions to decide whether to terminate the pregnancy, said Zhao Yangyu, head of the obstetrics department of Peking University Third Hospital, at a news conference held by the National Health Commission. 

"It is also worth noting consistent fever and virus infections are always harmful to fetuses during early pregnancy, " she said. "Special attention should be paid in this regard."

As the increasing number of confirmed and suspected cases of the novel coronavirus is straining⁽⁷⁾ medical resources in China, concerns have also risen over hospitals' capacity to handle pregnant women who need regular health check-ups.

Wang Liang, an official with the commission's maternal and child health department, said some local authorities have designated institutions specializing in obstetrics and neonatology⁽⁸⁾ to deliver services to the pregnant and ensure their safety. 

"For pregnant women who are suspected of, or confirmed to be, infected with the virus, they should seek treatment at hospitals designated for coronavirus patients," he added. 

Zhao, the obstetrics specialist, added despite the spread of the illness, pregnant women should follow advice of doctors to conduct examinations, especially those at high risk. 

"Some hospitals have taken measures to distribute patients into different time slots⁽⁹⁾ in order to avoid large gatherings and reduce their waiting time," she said, adding mothers-to-be⁽¹⁰⁾ are also suggested to take precautions⁽¹¹⁾ such as wearing masks and cooperating with health screenings at medical institutions.

文章来源：

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/01/WS5e356563a310128217274190.html

Notes：

(1) coronavirus：冠状病毒

(2) definitive：最后的，最佳的，最权威的

(3) novel：新奇的，异常的

(4) fetus：胎儿

(5) obstetrics：产科学

(6) prioritize：优先处理，优先考虑

(7) strain：拉紧，竭力

(8) neonatology：新生儿学

(9) time slot：时间段

(10) mother-to-be：孕妇，准妈妈

(11) precaution：预防措施

长难句翻译

As the increasing number of confirmed and suspected cases of the novel coronavirus is straining medical resources in China, concerns have also risen over hospitals' capacity to handle pregnant women who need regular health check-ups.

随着新型冠状病毒确诊以及疑似病例的不断增加，中国的医疗资源越来越紧张，人们也越来越担心医院是否有能力处理需要定期产检的孕妇。