Early‐onset SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in neonates born to COVID positive mothers

The global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected a substantial number of pregnant women.1 Although neonates have been reported to be positive for the virus infection, there is paucity data on outcome and mode transmission. predominant transmission SARS-CoV-2 aerosol or direct contact.2, 3 Evidence suggests that respiratory viruses are not commonly transmitted in-utero. vertical postulated as in early-onset infection neonates, no conclusive evidence support this due limitations related sensitivity specificity diagnostic testing, variation timing tests appropriate sample determine conclusively.4 Furthermore, lack consensus regarding definition transmission.4 study Zeng et al. was undertaken during initial phases COVID-19 outbreak when limited information neonatal infection. This provided important possibility COVID neonates. They described three who were possibly infected. All born Caesarean section tested day life making it difficult differentiate congenital from postnatal details control precautions feeding practices provided, therefore, unable compare with standards care recommended. based PCR testing nasopharyngeal anal swabs, but test does between superficial contamination.4, 5 clinical manifestations also confounded pathologies seen normal hence doesn't categorically prove cause symptoms. favourable, finding changed over course ongoing pandemic. Conflicting guidelines managing SARS CoV2 infected mothers existed terms rooming-in breastfeeding practice across world. Currently, WHO recommendation encourage rooming-in, along strict precautions. New mutant strains differing virulence evolved since onset further research will need evaluate impact these variants. continue emerge, International multicentre collaborative studies using standardised comprehensively time maternal pregnancy (to in-utero vs. intrapartum/postnatal infection), in-utero/intrapartum exposure (antibodies, amniotic fluid, placental tissue, cord blood) (serial antibody serial tests, blood, serum, breast milk) would useful None. https://ebneo.org/sars-cov-2-infection-in-neonates