STUDY OF ADVERSE NEONATAL OUTCOMES BORN TO SARS-CoV-2 POSITIVE MOTHERS.

Abstract

Retrospective review of hospital records of 42 mother baby dyads at or above 34 completed weeks of gestation and tested SARS-CoV-2 positive by antigen or RTPCR within 14 days preceding delivery from 1st August 2020 till 6th February 2022 and the nasopharyngeal RTPCR reports of 43 neonates born to such mothers within 24- 48 hours were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features of neonates were studied. Of the 42 motherbaby dyad and 43 newborns(1 DCDA) one newborn tested positive (2.32%).No maternal ICU or maternal mortality was observed.Thirty newborns (69.76%) were delivered via cesarean of which 3(6.97%) were late-preterm while 3 (6.97%)were post dated deliveries.No gender discordance and meconium stained liquor noted in 4 deliveries(9.30%).7 were SGA(16.27%) while rest were AGA.2 babies(4.65%) required resusciation at birth and 3(6.97%) required NICU admission (Respiratory distress was the most common cause) with 2(4.64%)having mild requiring oxygen while 1 (2.32%) had severe distress requiring invasive ventilation.38 (88.37%)were asymptomatic while 5(11.62%) had adverse outcomes in the form of TTNB(4.65%),fever(2.32%),probable sepsis(2.32%),stillbirth(2.32%),PPHN(2.32%),poor feeding and lethargy(2.32%).1 (2.32%)neonate succumbed to PPHN on day 2.TTNB (4.65%)was the most common postnatal adverse outcome.Neonates have an overall favorable prognosis.We propose that a professional should always be present at the time of delivery for the possible need of resuscitation considering the higher incidence of respiratory distress 6.97% and birth asphyxia 2.32% in our study