Clinical Profile and Short-Term Outcome of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Neonates from a Government Medical College in West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a terrifying global pandemic. The presentations in neonates are varied with less case severity compared to adults. AIM: To describe the clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of neonates admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second surge of COVID-19 pandemic in a Government Medical College, West Bengal, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a hospital-based observational cross-sectional study conducted in the newborn unit of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital between 1 April 2021 and 31 July 2021 including all SARS-CoV-2 Real time RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) positive neonates. The demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of all the neonates and their outcomes were documented and analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-two neonates were found to be SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive out of which 9 (40.9%) were found to be asymptomatic and 6 (27.27%) required neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Among the symptomatic neonates, most common presentations were respiratory distress (40.9%) and gastrointestinal manifestations (40.9%). Eight (36.36%) neonates required respiratory support. Three (13.6%) neonates had pneumonia of which one had right middle lobe collapse. Laboratory parameters were nonspecific except for the two (9%) cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates. High-resolution computed tomography findings in two cases were suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced changes. Two (9%) neonates died of which one was likely due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: Neonates with SARS-CoV-2 infection are mostly asymptomatic. However, clinicians must be vigilant as atypical presentations such as consolidation, collapse, meningitis or multisystem inflammatory syndrome may occur.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates is rare with varied presentations ranging from asymptomatic neonates to a few presenting with multiorgan failure. The disease severity and case fatality are much less than in adults. We studied the clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of 22 neonates with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second surge of COVID-19 pandemic. While nine (40.9%) neonates were asymptomatic, six (27.27%) required NICU admission. Pneumonia is a rare presentation in neonates but severe COVID-19 pneumonia resulting in consolidation and lobar collapse requiring positive pressure ventilation is a possibility. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates is also a clinical entity probably as a result of hyperinflammatory syndrome due to transplacental transfer of antibodies. They require rigorous treatment, close monitoring and regular follow-ups. Amniotic fluid, placental or cord blood testing is essential to ascertain the definite mode of transmission in these neonates.

Neonatal Coronavirus 2019 Infection in a tertiary setup of India: A case series

Covid-19 disease caused by SARS-COV-2 has been a pandemic throughout the world including India. It affects all age groups including children. The disease is much milder among children compared to adults. In neonates, the disease is often mild and has good prognosis. It is still doubtful whether there is vertical transmission to the neonates from infected mothers. Also, it is not proved whether the disease can be transmitted through breast milk. Here we present case reports of three neonates, two of which were born to COVID-19 positive mothers. Rest one got infected at 25days of life. None of the two infants born to COVID-19 positive were positive at the time of birth. Our observation is similar to the previous studies that COVID-19 has not yet been proved to transmit vertically. One of them contracted the disease on day 7 of life from the mother in spite of strict precautions. It could not be proved whether it was transmitted from breast milk or faulty practice. One of the infants presented with late onset sepsis. All of the infants recovered well and was thriving well on follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Manipal Colleges of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)