COVID-19 during the Third Semester of Pregnancy: Maternal Characteristic, Possibility of Intrauterine Transmission and Neonatal Outcome in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women are vulnerable against COVID-19 infection due to physiological and immunological changes. COVID-19 in pregnancy affects fetal well-being with a potential for vertical infection.
 Materials and Method: This study aims to determine the incidence of vertical infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants born to mothers with positive COVID-19 infection. Amniotic fluid, swabs of the newborn's nasopharynx and oropharynx, and swabs of the placenta were examined using RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Serological examination was performed by Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) on infant’s blood.
 Result: Four of 33 pregnant women gave birth to infants positive SARS-CoV-2 infection. RT-PCR examination of all amniotic fluid and placental swabs were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Four of 33 infants (12.1%) showed negative PCR results but positive SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, another 4 newborns (12.1%) showed positive PCR results, but no SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected. The remaining 25 babies (75.8%) showed both negative PCR and serologic results. Conclusion: No evidence of vertical transmission found in this study.