Vertical transmission and clinical outcome of the neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers: A tertiary care hospital-based observational study

Abstract

Background Neonatal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from positive mothers to their babies has been a real concern, opening the arena of research in this area. Objective To detect the possibility of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19-positive mothers to their neonates and the clinicopathological outcome in them. Design A single-centre, prospective, observational study involving 47 COVID-19-positive mothers and their neonates. Setting A tertiary care hospital in Eastern India. Participants Neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers. Main outcome measures We investigated the SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) done twice (on admission and after 24 hours of admission) in neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers, who tested RT-PCR positive for this virus in their nasopharyngeal swab. Clinical outcome was also assessed in these neonates during their hospital stay. Results Out of 47 neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers, four were SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR. All the neonates in our study were discharged home in stable condition after management of acute complications. None of them required readmission. Conclusion Vertical transmission occurs in neonates born to COVID-19-positive mothers; however, the risk is small. Majority of the neonates remain asymptomatic with good clinical outcome.