Hyperglycemia and Cytopenias as Signs of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Infection in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Information regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in premature infants remains limited. Early in the pandemic, several studies reported that the risk of infection in infants was relatively small and that affected infants had a milder disease than what was seen in adults. Since the increase of the delta variant (SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2) within the population, there have been increased reports of more severe disease in infants. We present 3 cases of premature, very low birth weight infants with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented with significant hyperglycemia and bone marrow dysfunction. Two infants had presumed vertical transmission, and 1 infant was infected by respiratory transmission. Despite the mode of transmission, symptom onset and duration were similar in all infants. All resolved with symptomatic management. In the context of the continuing pandemic, evaluation for SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered in premature very low birth weight infants who demonstrate certain patterns of acute metabolic and hematologic abnormalities.