Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Premature Infant: Vertical Transmission and Antibody Response or Lack Thereof. uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • With the global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, several reports highlight its effects on pregnant women. Based on scant available data, vertical transmission is considered unlikely. We present here a preterm neonate born to a critically ill mother with SARV-CoV-2 with early evidence of infection with a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on day 1. Lack of parental contact prior to testing and strict adherence to recommended airborne precautions perinatally suggest vertical transmission of infection. Critical maternal illness and medications may have contributed to the need for extensive resuscitation at birth and highlight the importance of close fetal monitoring. Infant lacked immunoglobulin G antibody response by 3 weeks, presumably secondary to mild clinical course and prematurity. Effects of SARS-CoV-2 in preterm infants, their antibody response and potential for asymptomatic carriage remain uncertain.

publication date

  • August 20, 2020

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC7571559

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85090273706

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1055/s-0040-1715176

PubMed ID

  • 33094009

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 10

issue

  • 3