Clinical Profile of COVID-19 Positive Neonates in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To evaluate clinical profiles of COVID-19 neonates and compare early onset (<7 days) vs late onset (>=7 days) COVID. Method(s): Prospective observational study conducted among the neonates who were at risk or COVID-19 positive and who were admitted consecutively in one year (from June 2020 to May 2021) to evaluate their clinical status. At risk neonates underwent RT-PCR for oropharyngeal swab within 24 to 48 hours of life (inborn) or after admission (outborn). Result(s): Out of 351 at risk neonates, 106 babies came positive (early = 35.4% and late = 64.6%). Twelve (11.3%) cases were positive within 24 to 48 hours of life, indicating perinatal transmission. A total of 62 (58.4%) positive newborns were symptomatic. In their clinical course, there was Respiratory distress in 33(31.1%), diarrhoea in 7 (6.6%), poor feeding or lethargy in 24 (23.1%), fever in 19 (17.9 %) neonates. One baby developed COVID MIS-N. Early onset group was more symptomatic (P value <.05) but late onset group had a longer hospital stay (Spearman's rho <0.5) and increased duration of oxygen requirement (t-test sig. [2-tailed] < 0.05). Conclusion(s): There is high incidence of perinatal transmission. Early onset group was more symptomatic but late onset group had increased duration of oxygen requirement and longer hospital stay. Copyright © 2022 National Neonatology Forum.

Outcome of Neonates Born to COVID-Positive Women at 6 Months of Age

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 6 months for neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. METHODS: Neonates of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, admitted in our hospital were assessed for growth, neurodevelopment by Amiel-Tison method, and Developmental Profile (DP3) at discharge as part of another study (July 2020). This data were retrieved and babies followed-up at the age of 6 months. Composite adverse outcome was death within 6 months post discharge or DP3 score <70 and hearing/visual deficit. RESULTS: Out of 131 enrolled at discharge, 127 (97%) were followed up. SARs-CoV-2 positive neonates (Group I;19, 15%) had more symptoms (P=0.012), sepsis (P=0.014), pneumonia (P=0.029), longer hospital stay (P<0.001) following birth compared to group II (SARs-CoV-2 negative neonates;108, 85%). No baby in group I met definition of composite adverse outcome, while in group II it was 0.9% (1 child with DP3 <70 with hearing deficit) (P=1.0) without any difference in hospital readmission, growth, DP3 scores, or tone abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in growth, neurodevelopment, and hospital readmission in early infancy among infected and non-infected babies born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers.

Outcome of Neonates Born to COVID Positive Women at 6 Months of Age

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 6 months for neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. METHODS: Neonates of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, admitted in our hospital more assessed for growth, neurodevelopment by Amiel-Tison method, and Developmental Profile (DP3) at discharge part of another study (July 2020). This data were retrieved and babies followed-up at the age of 6 months. Composite adverse outcome was death within 6 months post discharge or DP3 score <70 and hearing/visual deficit. RESULTS: Out of 131 enrolled at discharge, 127 (97%) were followed up. Group I (19, 15%) had more symptoms (P=0.012), sepsis (P=0.014), pneumonia (P=0.029), longer hospital stay (P<0.001) following birth compared to group II (108, 85%). No baby in group I met definition of composite adverse outcome, while in group II it was 0.9% (1 child with DP3 <70 with hearing deficit) (P=1.0) without any difference in hospital readmission, growth, DP3 scores, or tone abnormalities. CONCLUSION: There is no difference in growth, neurodevelopment, and hospital readmission in early infancy among infected and non-infected babies born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers.