Diagnostic challenges, management, and outcome of infants born to mothers with COVID 19 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection affected pregnant women during the pandemic. Immunological particularity of this population and the increased need for medical assistance placed this population in a high-risk category for SARS-Cov-2 infection. Owing to high contamination risk and limited studies regarding vertical transmission, the labor and delivery of positive women required particular conditions. Cesarean section probably proved to be the optimal option for delivery of infants to reduce the risk of infection during birth. The aim of the present study was to present the management and outcome of infants born to mothers confirmed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) prior to delivery. This is a longitudinal, retrospective study, analyzing demographics, laboratory data and management of neonates born to mothers with diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection. The results showed that 5 neonates were born to SARS-Cov-2-positive mothers, all by Cesarean section and had a negative reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test. None of the women breastfed during the hospital stay. The negative RT-qPCR test allowed us to reduce the hospital stay of infants and care in non-isolated areas. In summary, in the present study, vertical or perinatal transmission of the infection was not present. The testing of the pregnant women, their isolation and delivery in safe conditions for the medical staff were possible, with the latter using adequate protection equipment to limit their infection and the risk for the newborns.