Clinical characteristics and outcomes of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection and those with COVID-19 infection: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors, clinical findings, treatment methods and short-term outcomes of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection and infants with COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: Data of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection and infants with COVID-19 infection treated in our Newborn Intensive Care Unit between 1 March 2020 and 1 April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 60 newborns were included in the study. Of these, 46 were born to mothers with COVID-19 infection, the gestational week was 36.8±3.3 weeks, 28 were girls. All newborns born to mothers with COVID-19 tested negative for reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The premature birth rate was 30%, the low birth weight rate was 19.4%, maternal mortality was 8.7% and neonatal mortality was 2.2%. 14 of the infants included in the study had community-acquired COVID-19 infection, the gestational age was 38.9±0.9 weeks, 6 of them were girls. The most frequent clinical findings were fever and runny nasal discharge. Most neonates in both groups were formula-fed (65.2% vs. 64.3%, respectively). Conclusion: We found that pregnant women with COVID-19 infection had a higher maternal mortality rate, preterm birth, and caesarean section. Families should be informed and encouraged about breast milk and breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.