Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates and the probability of maternal transmission.

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to measure the incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in neonates from infected mothers and to screen disease severity in neonates.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based cohort study of neonates from SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive mothers, enrolling mothers who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 and their neonates. Eleven infants <25 days old presenting with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were also included in the study. We recorded clinical symptoms of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive mothers and their neonates.ResultsOne of 126 babies born to SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected mothers was found to be positive (0.79%). The referred positive neonates were either asymptomatic or suffered from symptoms ranging from mild respiratory distress to pneumonia. Most SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive neonates showed neutropenia and lymphocytosis. Most of the SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected mothers (n = 126) were either asymptomatic (46, 36.5%) or showed mild respiratory distress (66, 52.4%). However, pneumonia and severe respiratory distress were reported in 14 (11.1%) of the SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected mothers. There were no deaths of either SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected mothers or neonates.ConclusionWe conclude that mothers transmitted infection to their neonates at a very low rate. Disease in neonates is usually mild, although some babies have severe disease. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in late pregnancy usually leads to mild maternal disease, but severe disease is reported in approximately one‐tenth of the infected women.