Vertical Transmission Rate Research Articles

Preliminary Results from the FOGSI's National Registry on Pregnancy with COVID-19.

Background/purpose of the studyThe obstetric population is believed to be more susceptible to adverse consequences of coronavirus disease COVID-19 as compared to the general populace. Clinical characteristics and outcomes data related to COVID-19 infection in obstetric cases are limited and evolving. Most importantly, studies reporting Indian data are strikingly few and of single centre. The objective of our study was thus to address these lacunae using data registered in the FOGSI’s National registry on COVID-19 infection in pregnancy (FOGSI COVID registry).MethodsWe conducted an observational study using data retrieved from the FOGSI COVID registry. Fifty-three hospital departments participating in the registry populated data related to laboratory confirmed and hospitalized COVID-19 obstetric patients. Data for the period of 28 April 2020 to 28 August 2020 were extracted from the registry. A subset of the data was formatted, curated, standardized and harmonized. Descriptive analysis was carried out, and results reported.ResultsOf the 989 cases analyzed, 956 women were pregnant and 33 women were in the postpartum period. A total of 569 women (61.71%, n = 922) were multi-gravida, and 713 women (72.98%, n = 977) belonged to the 21–30 years age group. A total of 492 cases (52.73%, n = 966) had a gestational age > 37 weeks. A total of 754 women (83.41%, n = 904) were asymptomatic, and 32 cases (3.54%, n = 904) had severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Fifty-six women (7.19%, n = 779) required critical care and ten women (1.01%, n = 989) died. A total of 771 pregnant women (97.23%, n = 793) gave birth of which 455 cases (59.01%) underwent a lower segment caesarean section (LSCS). There were 749 cases (95.17%, n = 771) of live birth that included eight cases of twin deliveries. 195 infants (28.34%, n = 688) were admitted to the NICU, and 13 infants (2.99%, n = 435) tested COVID-19 positive in the neonatal period. Twelve infants (1.54%, n = 779) died.Conclusion83.41% pregnant women were asymptomatic. COVID-19 infection in obstetric cases from India led to 59.01% LSCS procedures which are lower than many other countries. COVID-19 infection led to a higher maternal mortality and IUFD rate as compared to pregnant women that did not have COVID-19 infection in India. Vertical transmission rate is 2.99% and at par with other countries.

Vertical Transmission and Discordance of Cytomegalovirus in Twin Pregnancies.

ObjectiveThe objectives are to estimate the vertical transmission rate in twins relative to singleton pregnancies, to evaluate whether discordance within twin pairs is rare, and to characterize concordance within monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs in relation to hereditability.MethodsWe first sought to estimate the vertical transmission rate of congenital CMV infection in twins by gathering cohort-based studies of congenital CMV in which vertical transmission in both singleton and twin pregnancies was reported. This also allowed us to compare singleton and twin infection rates. From the above studies and other large cohorts of congenitally infected infants, the percentage of discordantly infected twin pairs determined whether this is a rare phenomenon. Theorizing discordance is not rare, we then analyzed data from cases with twin outcomes for congenital CMV infection, according to whether the twins were monozygotic or dizygotic, and calculated their corresponding concordance rates to estimate the broad-sense heritability. Lastly, we described other factors that might affect vertical transmission.ResultsFrom five articles following at-risk pregnancies, the rate of vertical transmission in twin pregnancies is 58.7% (95% CI 43.3-72.3%) whereas in singleton pregnancies it is 31.4% (95% CI: 29.0-34.0%) p = 0.0002. Of ten studies of larger cohorts of infants with congenital CMV infection, 21 of 42 twin pairs with at least one twin infected were discordant for congenital CMV (50.0%, 95% CI: 34.4–65.6%) indicating discordance of congenital CMV infection in twin pairs is not rare. Of 28 studies covering 37 twin pairs where at least one twin had congenital CMV, and zygosity was known, eleven of thirteen monozygotic twin pairs (84.6%; 95% CI: 53.7-97.3%) were concordant for CMV infection, and nine of twenty-four dizygotic twin pairs (37.5%; 95% CI: 19.6-59.2%) were concordant for infection giving an estimated hereditability of 94.2%. Within these 37 twin pairs, factors such as primary or recurrent maternal infection, prematurity, growth discordance, and sex are described; however, in many of these cases these factors are unknown.ConclusionThe rate of vertical transmission of congenital CMV is higher for twins than singletons. Discordance of congenital CMV in twins is not rare and suggests a possible genetic susceptibility to congenital CMV.

Zika virus infects Aedes aegypti ovaries

Pathogens are transmitted from one host to another either by vertical transmission (VT) or horizontal transmission (HT). Mosquito-borne arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses), including several clinically important viruses such as dengue, Zika, West Nile and chikungunya viruses persist in nature by both VT and HT. VT may also serve as an essential link in the transmission cycle during adverse environmental conditions. VT rates (VTRs) vary between virus families and even among viruses within the same genus. The mechanism behind these differences in VTRs among viruses is poorly understood. For efficient VT to occur, viruses must infect the mosquito germline. Here, we show that Zika virus infects mosquito ovaries and is transmitted vertically at a low rate. The infected progeny derive from mosquitoes with infected ovaries. The prevalence of ovary infection increases after a second non-infectious blood meal following an infectious blood meal.

Syphilis in Pregnancy: Profile and Associated Factors in the Northwest Region of São Paulo State

Brazil is undergoing an epidemic of syphilis. In the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, syphilis has a high incidence and is considered a public health problem. This study aimed to perform the temporal and incidence analysis of gestational and congenital syphilis cases in 28 municipalities in the northwest region of the state of São Paulo. This was an observational, epidemiological, ecological study carried out with secondary data collected between 2010 and 2017 in public databases of SINAN and SINASC. The reported cases of gestational/congenital syphilis were described according to sociodemographic variables and chi-square association tests were applied at a significance level of 5%. There were 350 cases of gestational syphilis and 164 cases of congenital syphilis; the average vertical transmission rate was 44.09%; partners had low adherence to treatment; and 86.59% pregnant women attended prenatal care. It can be concluded that vertical transmission rate of syphilis is high, and few partners of pregnant women adhere to the treatment.

A Brief Study of a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Study of the Birth Outcomes of Corona Mothers in Iran

Many questions pertaining to the neonates born to the mothers affected by Covid19 have arisen, particularly with regard to the likelihood of vertical transmission of the virus, the association between the intensity of disease in mothers and severity of neonatal morbidities. The present systematic review and meta-analysis attempted to deliver the responses to such uncertainties. For statistical analysis, the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software was employed. Overall, 16 studies including 1192 mothers with the average age of 31 years suffering definitive diagnosis of Covid-19 and delivered successfully were assessed with respect to their clinical manifestations as well as pregnancy and neonatal outcome. The median of birth weight was 3080 gr. The pooled cesarean rate was 48.3%. Respecting neonatal outcome, neonatal respiratory distress was overall revealed in 13.1% (95%CI: 10.6% to 16.0%) and in total, 20.1% (95%CI: 17.6% to 20.3%) required NICU admission. Overall, 3.8% (95%CI: 2.6% to 5.7%) of the neonates tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, while no neonatal death was reported in all the studies. The rate of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from mother to neonate is very low and overall outcome reported in these infants is quite favorable. Thus, encouraging immediate bonding, rooming-in and breastfeeding should be considered for all neonates born to infected mothers.

Timing of HIV diagnosis relative to pregnancy and postpartum HIV care continuum outcomes among Latin American women, 2000 to 2017.

BackgroundHIV incidence among women of reproductive age and vertical HIV transmission rates remain high in Latin America. We, therefore, quantified HIV care continuum barriers and outcomes among pregnant women living with HIV (WLWH) in Latin America.MethodsWLWH (aged ≥16 years) enrolling at Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology (CCASAnet) sites from 2000 to 2017 who had HIV diagnosis, pregnancy and delivery dates contributed. Logistic regression produced adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for retention in care (≥2 visits ≥3 months apart) and virological suppression (viral load <200 copies/mL) 12 months after pregnancy outcome. Cumulative incidences of loss to follow‐up (LTFU) postpartum were estimated using Cox regression. Evidence of HIV status at pregnancy confirmation was the exposure. Covariates included pregnancy outcome (born alive vs. others); AIDS diagnosis prior to delivery; CD4, age, HIV‐1 RNA and cART regimen at first delivery and CCASAnet country.ResultsAmong 579 WLWH, median postpartum follow‐up was 4.34 years (IQR 1.91, 7.35); 459 (79%) were HIV‐diagnosed before pregnancy confirmation, 445 (77%) retained in care and 259 (45%) virologically suppressed at 12 months of postpartum. Cumulative incidence of LTFU was 21% by 12 months and 40% by five years postpartum. Those HIV‐diagnosed during pregnancy had lower odds of retention (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.97) and virological suppression (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.82) versus those HIV‐diagnosed before.ConclusionHIV diagnosis during pregnancy was associated with poorer 12‐month retention and virological suppression. Young women should be tested and linked to HIV care earlier to narrow these disparities.

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Oman: a success story from the Middle East.

In January 2016, the National AIDS Programme (NAP) in Oman introduced a package of interventions, including capacity building for service providers, to improve the quality of HIV services. To report the impact of these interventions on the rate of vertical HIV transmission in the period from January 2016 to December 2019. We also describe the virological and obstetric outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women. This was a medical record review of 94 HIV-positive pregnant women (median age 32 years; interquartile range 25-34 years) reported to NAP in 2016-2019. There were 110 pregnancies in 94 women. The majority (75.3%, 61/81) of women were diagnosed with HIV infection from routine antenatal screening, with 60% (66/110) of pregnancies occurring in women who knew their HIV status at conception. Caesarean section was the most common (50%) mode of delivery. The preterm labour and low birth weight rates were 21.2% and 15.9%, respectively. The antiretroviral coverage during pregnancy was 95.5%, with most (87.8%) women reporting excellent or good adherence. The majority (81.6%) of women achieved HIV viral load of < 400 copies/ml at or near delivery. Almost all infants (99%) were given prophylactic antiretrovirals. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV was 1%. The obstetric and virological outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women delivered in 2016-2019 were favourable, with a low rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Oman is now in the process of finalizing application of World Health Organization validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Vertical transmission of chikungunya virus: A systematic review.

ObjectivesTo describe and estimate the frequency of pregnancy outcomes, clinical and laboratory characteristics of vertical transmission of CHIKV in the neonate.Study designWe performed a systematic review evaluating the clinical presentation of perinatally-acquired CHIKV infection in neonates. The search was performed using Medline (via PubMed), LILACS, Web of Science, Scielo, Google Scholar and Open grey to identify studies assessing vertical transmission of CHIKV up to November 3, 2020. There were no search restrictions regarding the study type, the publication date or language. Studies with no documented evidence of CHIKV infection in neonates (negative RT-PCR or absence of IgM) were excluded.ResultsFrom the 227 studies initially identified, 42 were selected as follows: 28 case reports, 7 case series, 2 cross-sectional studies and 5 cohort studies, for a total of 266 CHIKV infected neonates confirmed by serological and/or molecular tests. The vertical transmission rate was 50% in the Reunion Island outbreak, which was the subject of the majority of the studies; the premature delivery were reported in 19 (45.2%) studies; the rate of fetal distress was 19.6% of infected babies and fetal loss occurred in 2% of the cases. Approximately 68.7% of newborns were diagnosed with encephalopathy or encephalitis after perinatally acquired CHIKV. Most of the infected neonates were born healthy, developing CHIKV sepsis clinical syndrome within the first week of life.ConclusionsWe alert neonatologists to the late manifestations of neonatal CHIKV infection, relevant to the management and reduction of morbidity. A limitation of our review was that it was not possible to carry out meta-analysis due to differences in study design and the small number of participants.

Seroprevalence and Efficacy of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission Program Over a Decade in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Parent to child transmission is the major mode of spread of HIV. An effective national health program (PPTCT) has been designed under NACO which helps in reducing the spread of HIV by vertical transmission and improving the life of the women and her baby. A retrospective study was done at a tertiary care hospital, including pregnant women registered and delivered, and those who came directly in labour at the hospital during a period of 10years from January 2010 to December 2019. Pretest counselling, HIV testing, Post-test counselling were done, and antiretroviral prophylaxis was given as per the NACP guidelines. Sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric outcome and efficacy of PPTCT services were analysed. Out of the 63,947 antenatal mothers included, 61,061 (95.4%) accepted HIV testing. 177 of these tested positive (0.289%) with a significant reduction in the seroprevalence over the decade. Majority of seropositive women were primigravida; housewives from urban areas, from low income and educational background and with no history of any contraceptive use. Out of 718 live births, the MTCT rate was found to be 4.5% at 6weeks over the whole decade and was noted to be 1.8 % at 18 months which is well within the goal of PPTCT program and hence elucidating the success. Seventy-four spouses of the 177 seropositive women tested positive, 55 tested negative and 49 did not undergo the HIV testing. Decline in the number of partners not undergoing testing was elicited. The discordant couple rate in the study was 31% and showed variable trend over the decade. Our study has observed an overall increase in efficacy of PPTCT in terms of increased utilization of PPTCT through the decade, decrease in the vertical transmission and seroprevalence rate, increase in the acceptance rates of HIV testing by partner almost conquering the goal of NACO.

Issues of infant feeding for postnatal prevention of human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type-1 mother-to-child transmission.

Nationwide antenatal human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type-1 (HTLV-1) antibody screening has been conducted in Japan. The purpose of our study was to clarify the issues related to feeding options to prevent postnatal mother-to-child transmission. Of the pregnant carriers at 92 facilities in Japan between 2012 and 2015, 735 were followed prospectively. Among the children born to them, 313 (42.6%) children were followed up to the age of 3 and tested for HTLV-1 antibodies. The mother-to-child transmission rate was calculated for each feeding option selected before birth. Among the 313 pregnant carriers, 55.0, 35.1, 6.1, and 3.8% selected short-term breast-feeding (≤3months), exclusive formula feeding, frozen-thawed breast-milk feeding, and longer-term breast-feeding, respectively. Despite short-term breast-feeding, 8-18% of the mothers continued breast-feeding for 4-6months. The mother-to-child transmission rate with short-term breast-feeding was 2.3% (4/172), and its risk ratio compared with that of exclusive formula feeding was not significantly different (0.365; 95% CI: 0.116-1.145). Because of the small number of children who were fed by frozen-thawed breast-milk, their mother-to-child transmission rate was not statistically reliable. Pregnant HTLV-1 carriers tended to select short-term breast-feeding in Japan. While short-term breast-feeding was not always easy to wean within 3 months, it may be a viable option for preventing postnatal mother-to-child transmission because the vertical transmission rate with short-term breast-feeding was not significantly higher than that with exclusive formula feeding. Increasing the follow-up rates for children born to pregnant carriers may provide clearer evidence of preventative effects by short-term breast-feeding and frozen-thawed breast-milk feeding.

Vertical Transmission of Extended-Spectrum, Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae during Preterm Delivery: A Prospective Study

Maternal carriage and vertical transmission of extended-spectrum, beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E), such as Escherichia coli, hamper the treatment of infections, resulting in high morbidity. E. coli is the most frequent cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) in preterm infants, where ESBL-E are more frequently isolated. In this prospective, case-controlled study, maternal rectovaginal ESBL-E colonization and vertical transmission to preterm infants were assessed in 160 women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM; 57.4%) or preterm labor (42.6%); additional cultures were obtained from the placenta, amnion, and umbilical cord during preterm labor. Maternal and neonatal ESBL-E-carriage rates were 17.5% and 12.9%, respectively, and the vertical-transmission rate was 50%. Maternal ESBL-E colonization among women with PPROM was 21.3%, and in women with premature labor it was 12.6%. No correlation was observed between maternal ESBL-E-colonization and previous hospitalization or antibiotic administration during pregnancy. However, a correlation was found between placental inflammation and maternal ESBL-E colonization (p = 0.007). ESBL-E-colonized infants were delivered at an earlier gestational age and were more likely to have complications. Thus, the high ESBL-E carriage rate in women with threatened preterm labor, without obvious risk factors for carriage, and a high vertical transmission rate, combined with a correlation between placental inflammation and ESBL-E carriage, support maternal–neonatal ESBL-E-colonization surveillance and active measures to prevent ESBL-E-related EOS.

Valaciclovir to Prevent Vertical Transmission of Cytomegalovirus After Maternal Primary Infection During Pregnancy: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

(Abstracted from Lancet 2020;396:779–785) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a congenital infection that has a high rate of maternal morbidity after infection. There is a relatively high rate of vertical transmission to the fetus following a maternal infection of 30% to 40%.

The Profile of the Obstetric Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection According to Country of Origin of the Publication: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

SARS-CoV-2 is the novel member of coronavirus responsible for the worldwide pandemic COVID-19, affecting all types of people. In this context, established research identified pregnant women as a susceptible group of SARS-CoV-2 infection, although there is still limited data regarding the real impact of COVID-19 in this group. With that purpose, we conducted a systematic review describing the maternal-fetal results of pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2, in aim to analyze the profile of the obstetric patients according to the country of origin of the publication. A total of 38 articles were included in this systematic review with 2670 patients from 7 countries, with 20 works published from China (52.6%). We reported significative differences according to the median maternal age, with Spain as the country with the highest age (34.6 years); The percentage of tabaquism; proportion of symptomatic patients in the triage; type of radiological exam (China and France conduct CT scans on all their patients in comparison to the use of chest X-Ray in the rest of the countries studied); percentages of C-sections (83.9% in China; 35.9% Spain, p < 0.001); maternal mortality rate, proportion of patients who need treatments, the use of antivirals, antibiotics, and anticoagulants as well as measurements of the newborns. Perinatal results are favorable in the majority of countries, with very low rates of vertical transmission in the majority of works. The studies collected in this review showed moderate to high index of quality. The different works describe the affectation during the first wave of the pandemic, where the pregnant woman with SARS-CoV-2 infection is generally symptomatic during the third trimester of gestation along with other factors associated with worse prognosis of the disease, such as higher age, body mass index, and further comorbidities developed during pregnancy. In the obstetric patient, proportion of C-sections are elevated together with prematurity, increasing maternal perinatal morbimortality. Differences found between countries could be based on the proper profile of the patient in each region, the period of the pandemic directly affecting how it was managed, and the variations regarding in situ medical attention.

Comparison of Two Hepatitis B Vaccination Strategies Targeting Vertical Transmission: A 10-Year Japanese Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

In 1985, a hepatitis B (HB) vaccination strategy against vertical HB virus transmission was introduced in Japan that recommended vaccination of infants at two, three, and five months of age (delayed strategy). This schedule was revised in 2013, recommending to vaccinate at birth and at 1 and 6 months of age (non-delayed strategy). We aimed to compare the vertical HB virus transmission rates and immunogenic responses between these two vaccination strategies. This Japanese multicenter prospective cohort study included 222 infants born between 2008 and 2017 to serum hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers. During the study period, 136 and 86 infants received delayed and non-delayed strategies, respectively. A positive vertical HB virus transmission was defined as a positive serum HBsAg status. Seropositive immunogenic response was defined as a serum anti-HBs titer of ≥10 mIU/mL. Post-vaccination serum HBsAg positivity rates did not differ significantly between the delayed (0/136 [0.0%, 95% confidence interval, 0.0–2.7%]) and non-delayed (2/86 [2.3%, 95% confidence interval, 0.3–8.1%]) strategy groups. Seropositive immunogenic response rates were 100.0% (136/136) and 97.7% (84/86), respectively. Although this study was under-powered to detect a statistically significant result, no vertical HB virus transmission was observed in the delayed strategy.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 and comparison with control patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

SummaryIn a large‐scale study, 128176 non‐pregnant patients (228 studies) and 10000 pregnant patients (121 studies) confirmed COVID‐19 cases included in this Meta‐Analysis. The mean (confidence interval [CI]) of age and gestational age of admission (GA) in pregnant women was 33 (28–37) years old and 36 (34–37) weeks, respectively. Pregnant women show the same manifestations of COVID‐19 as non‐pregnant adult patients. Fever (pregnant: 75.5%; non‐pregnant: 74%) and cough (pregnant: 48.5%; non‐pregnant: 53.5%) are the most common symptoms in both groups followed by myalgia (26.5%) and chill (25%) in pregnant and dysgeusia (27%) and fatigue (26.5%) in non‐pregnant patients. Pregnant women are less probable to show cough (odds ratio [OR] 0.7; 95% CI 0.67–0.75), fatigue (OR: 0.58; CI: 0.54–0.61), sore throat (OR: 0.66; CI: 0.61–0.7), headache (OR: 0.55; CI: 0.55–0.58) and diarrhea (OR: 0.46; CI: 0.4–0.51) than non‐pregnant adult patients. The most common imaging found in pregnant women is ground‐glass opacity (57%) and in non‐pregnant patients is consolidation (76%). Pregnant women have higher proportion of leukocytosis (27% vs. 14%), thrombocytopenia (18% vs. 12.5%) and have lower proportion of raised C‐reactive protein (52% vs. 81%) compared with non‐pregnant patients. Leucopenia and lymphopenia are almost the same in both groups. The most common comorbidity in pregnant patients is diabetes (18%) and in non‐pregnant patients is hypertension (21%). Case fatality rate (CFR) of non‐pregnant hospitalized patients is 6.4% (4.4–8.5), and mortality due to all‐cause for pregnant patients is 11.3% (9.6–13.3). Regarding the complications of pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage (54.5% [7–94]), caesarean delivery (48% [42–54]), preterm labor (25% [4–74]) and preterm birth (21% [12–34]) are in turn the most prevalent complications. Comparing the pregnancy outcomes show that caesarean delivery (OR: 3; CI: 2–5), low birth weight (LBW) (OR: 9; CI: 2.4–30) and preterm birth (OR: 2.5; CI: 1.5–3.5) are more probable in pregnant woman with COVID‐19 than pregnant women without COVID‐19. The most prevalent neonatal complications are neonatal intensive care unit admission (43% [2–96]), fetal distress (30% [12–58]) and LBW (25% [16–37]). The rate of vertical transmission is 5.3% (1.3–16), and the rate of positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test for neonates born to mothers with COVID‐19 is 8% (4–16). Overall, pregnant patients present with the similar clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 when compared with the general population, but they may be more asymptomatic. Higher odds of caesarean delivery, LBW and preterm birth among pregnant patients with COVID‐19 suggest a possible association between COVID‐19 infection and pregnancy complications. Low risk of vertical transmission is present, and SARS‐CoV‐2 can be detected in all conception products, particularly placenta and breast milk. Interpretations of these results should be done cautiously due to the heterogeneity between studies; however, we believe our findings can guide the prenatal and postnatal considerations for COVID‐19 pregnant patients.

A Review Study on the Neonatal Outcomes of Pregnant Women with COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a fatal respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus that quickly became a pandemic. Pregnant women and neonates are two vulnerable groups in COVID-19 infections because the immune system weakens during pregnancy. The present review study was conducted to investigate the rate of vertical transmission in infants born to women with COVID-19 infections and to describe the characteristics of the affected infants. We conducted a search of the various scientific databases using relevant keywords. All English-language studies involving neonates born to women who had COVID-19 infections were included. The main outcomes were rates of vertical transmission and the characteristics of the affected newborns. Out of 13 selected studies, 103 newborns were involved. The rate of vertical transmission was 5.4%. Of the five infected newborns, four were full-term and one was preterm. All were born by Cesarean section. The clinical symptoms were vomiting, fever, lethargy, shortness of breath, and cyanosis. In four newborns, a chest x-ray showed evidence of pneumonia. The most common laboratory finding was leukocytosis and elevated creatine kinase levels. One newborn needed mechanical ventilation. All newborns recovered and were discharged. The findings of this review study showed that the prognosis of newborns of infected mothers was satisfactory, and clinical symptoms of infected neonates did not differ from adults and were nonspecific. Due to the low amount of data regarding this field, further studies with higher sample sizes are required for more definitive conclusions.

A Systematic Review of 571 Pregnancies Affected by COVID-19.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease has been severe and a cause for major concern around the world. Due to immunological and physiological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women have a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to collect and integrate the results of previous studies to get an accurate representation and interpretation of the clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiological findings, and characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19. We conducted a scientific search in main databases with a combination of related MESH terms and keywords. The outcomes included common clinical symptoms at the time of onset of the disease, common laboratory and radiological findings, the rates of vaginal delivery and Cesarean section, Cesarean section indications, maternal complications, and vertical transmission rates. A total of 51 studies comprising 571 pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. The most common symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea, respectively. Elevated C-reactive protein and ground-glass opacities were the most common laboratory and radiological findings of COVID-19 pneumonia, respectively. A total of 114 Cesarean sections were performed due to COVID-19-related concerns. There were 55 cases of intubation (11.6%) and 13 maternal deaths (2.3%). The vertical transmission rate was 7.9%. We conclude that the characteristics of pneumonia caused by COVID-19 in pregnant women do not appear to be different from those in the general population with COVID-19 infections. However, pregnant women with underlying diseases were more likely to develop COVID-19 than others, and, in those infected with the virus, the rate of Cesarean delivery and preterm birth increased.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection associated with crack cocaine use: the impact on perinatal transmission among 890 pregnancies in Brazil

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection is a prevalent infection occurring during pregnancy. The implementation of a program to screen and prevent vertical transmission is highly important in Public Healthcare. Pregnant crack users could face difficulties to test and adhere to the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. Objective: The purpose of this research paper was to investigate whether crack cocaine abuse increases Human Immunodeficiency Virus perinatal transmission rates, as well as to evaluate the risk factors associated with such an increase. Methods: Design: A retrospective study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Universidade Federal do Paraná. Population: pregnancies of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive women who were using crack cocaine (n=64) were compared with that of non-users (n=826) from 2005 to 2013. Prenatal medical records, delivery records, and newborn records were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures: The vertical transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the group of crack cocaine users was 9.37% (6) versus 2.54% (21) among non-users (p=0.009744). Results: Over the years of the study, there was a decrease in the vertical transmission rate in non-users, while this number remained constant in the group of users. When analyzing the cases of perinatal transmission, it was found that 83.34% (5) had inadequate prenatal care, and 100% (6) had inadequate Human Immunodeficiency Virus treatment, compared to the group in which there was no vertical transmission, where 65.52% (38) had inadequate prenatal care and 70.86% (41) had inadequate treatment. Conclusion: Vertical transmission is higher among crack cocaine users and did not decrease over the years of the study, as occurred among non-users. Trends that explain this increase were non-adherence to adequate prenatal care, Human Immunodeficiency Virus diagnosis during pregnancy, irregular treatment, absence of intrapartum antiretroviral prophylaxis, and vaginal delivery route.

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Prenatal as A Complementary Treatment to Prevent Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus: A Systematic Review

Vertical transmission is the dominant transmission method in hepatitis B endemic countries. Immunoprophylactic protocols leave 1% to 4% of infants with a higher risk of immunoprophylactic failure. Within the last ten years, publications regarding the use of prenatal Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) have been continuously updated. TDF is preferred because of its potency and lower risk of resistance than lamivudine and telbivudine. The studies analyzed in this systematic review consisted of 2 RCT and 7 NRCT studies, involving 3,765 participants. Six studies described a reduction in viral load HBV DNA levels in the intervention group. Furthermore, five sstudies reported a decrease in the vertical transmission rate higher than the control group, proven with positive HBsAg parameters at newborns in the intervention group. All studies in this systematic review show a reduced risk of immunoprophylactic failure in the intervention group, proven with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs status when infants were 6-12 months old. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in all studies from a safety point of view. Administration of prenatal TDF and the prophylactic protocol can reduce the vertical transmission rate and the risk of immunoprophylactic failure without causing significant adverse effects both during pregnancy and in infants. Given the consideration, the public health sector and physician should consider TDF prenatal as a complementary treatment to prevent vertical transmission.

Gaps in the Care Cascade among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Exposed Infants Born in 2017 in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe.

Introduction:Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is a key strategy for ending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. Most studies have focused on the mothers' side of the PMTCT cascade or the rate of vertical HIV transmission. Information on child-focused cascade is limited. We aimed to evaluate HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis uptake and associated factors among HIV-exposed infants (HEIs) born in 2017.Methods:This was a record-based descriptive study in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. We analyzed routinely collected program data abstracted from electronic and paper-based HEI registers. Uptakes were calculated as proportions while associations were measured using adjusted risk ratios (log-binomial regression).Results:Of 1028 HEIs, 1015 (98.7%) were commenced on nevirapine prophylaxis, while 915 (89.0%) were commenced on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. A total of 880 (85.0%) HEIs were tested for HIV by 6 weeks and 445 (44.4%) by 9 months. Overall, 40 (3.9%) were found to be HIV positive, and of them, 34 (85.0%) commenced on ART. Secondary and tertiary health facilities, being born through nonvaginal delivery, and certain districts were significantly associated with not commencing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis or getting tested for HIV. One district was associated with less risk of not having an HIV test by 9 months.Conclusions:While nevirapine, cotrimoxazole, and ART uptake were high among the HEIs, HIV testing by 9 months was suboptimal. The vertical HIV transmission rate was 3.9%. There is a need to strengthen HIV testing and antiretroviral and cotrimoxazole prophylaxes, especially at high-level facilities and certain districts.