Outcome of babies at 8-12 months old who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth in two tertiary medical centers / The Health Sciences Journal

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION@#Scant information remains regarding the outcome of babies who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth beyond two months of age. This study determined the outcome of infants at 8-12 months old who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth.@*METHODS@#This is a non-concurrent cohort study. A review of medical records at birth and at wellness check at 8-12 months was done. The weight, Z-scores, episodes of upper respiratory tract infection and number of non-routine consults were compared between the babies who tested positive at birth with those whose test was negative for COVID-19. Asymptotic 2-tailed p value = 0.05 determined significance of differences of variables.@*RESULTS@#From August to October 2020, 31 newborns tested positive for COVID-19; 31 tested negative, and all had an unremarkable outcome at birth. Nine (p = 0.001) mothers tested positive for COVID-19. COVID-19 babies weighed statistically significantly less than the non-COVID-19 babies (8.5 + 0.87 vs 9.7 + 0.89 kg, p = 0.010) at 8-12 months. There was no statistically significant difference when the z-scores were considered (p = 0.313). As of last wellness check, babies who tested positive at birth had more episodes of upper respiratory tract infections (19.6% vs none, p= 0.010) and non-routine consultations.@*CONCLUSION@#Twenty nine percent of newborns tested positive if mothers tested positive for COVID-19. At 8-12 months old, babies who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth had more episodes of upper respiratory tract infections.