Case report: Tissue positivity for SARS-CoV-2 in a preterm born infant death of thrombosis: possible intrauterine transmission.

Intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) is still matter of debate among scientists and there is limited information concerning this aspect of research. This could lead to severe complications of the growing fetus and, theoretically, of the newborn as well. We report the case of a male infant of 1,100 grams, born at 27th week of gestation to a SARS-CoV-2 mother, tested negative for viral detection at delivery. He was immediately admitted to neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for severe complications, where he died after 37 days by pulmonary embolism and thrombosis of the superior vena cava. After autopsy, SARS-CoV-2 N-protein and Spike RBD were detected in several tissues, particularly in the esophagus, stomach, spleen, and heart, with a significantly higher H-Score than the placenta. In conclusion, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 NP and Spike RBD positivity in different tissues suggesting a possible intrauterine transmission. Newborn thrombo-embolism could be a complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection as observed in adult patients.

The clinical manifestations and outcomes in neonates infected with COVID-19 in the West of Iran

Introduction: So far, no study has been conducted in Iran on the effect of COVID-19 on neonates. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study has been evaluated to determine the clinical manifestations and outcomes in neonates infected with COVID-19 in the west of Iran. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among neonates infected with COVID-19 in six provinces of Hamadan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Ilam, Zanjan and Lorestan, located in the west of Iran, from 1 March to 1 July 2020. In these neonates, the polymerase chain reaction test was positive. The data were collected by a checklist and were analysed using SPSS Statistics Software. Result: During the study period, 16 neonates infected with COVID-19 were identified including Kurdistan Province with five cases, Hamadan Province four cases, Kermanshah with three cases, and Lorestan and Zanjan provinces with two cases. Neonate gender of them had equal distribution. Two (15.38%) of them needed CPR after delivery. The delivery method for 9 (56.25%) was vaginal, and one of them died during the study period. The medical care used for these neonates was as follows: 87.5% were hospitalized in the intensive care unit and antibiotics were used for 68.75%. 12.5% underwent COVID-19-specific treatment, and for 25%, a ventilator was used. The laboratory findings in neonates infected with COVID-19 showed that in 18.75%, blood urea nitrogen has increased. 46.15% of neonates reported lymphocytopenia. The blood haematocrit and haemoglobin decreased by 31.35% and 56.25%, respectively. Conclusion: The coronavirus disease 2019 has occurred among neonates, but they seemed to have a milder disease course and better prognosis than adults. Findings showed that there is a possibility of vertical intrauterine transmission from pregnant mothers to newborns. [ FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 and Pregnancy.

Pregnancy seems to be a risk factor for severe disease with COVID-19. Although SARS-CoV-2 intrauterine transmission seems to be rare, most studies show COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk for pregnancy complications, with higher risk among those with severe disease compared with those mildly affected. Studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 have been found in umbilical cord blood and breast milk following maternal vaccination, which might provide protection to the infant. However, vaccination rates during pregnancy remain low. Studies are needed to understand ways to address SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant persons.

A case report: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy & pneumonia in a neonate after SARS-CoV-2 intrauterine transmission.

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplet or aerosol route. However, there is mounting evidence for intrauterine transmission. We report on a late preterm infant with suspected intrauterine acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 who experienced birth depression, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, multisystem organ involvement, and late onset COVID-19 pneumonia [22].

Intrauterine Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

We documented fetal death associated with intrauterine transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We found chronic histiocytic intervillositis, maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, microglial hyperplasia, and lymphocytic infiltrate in muscle in the placenta and fetal tissue. Placenta and umbilical cord blood tested positive for the virus by PCR, confirming transplacental transmission.

The metabolic and immunological characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 and their neonates.

Our aim was to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 infection raised high risks of late pregnancy complications, and posed health problems in fetuses and neonates. We analyzed the data of COVID-19 pregnant women with COVID-19 during late pregnancy and their neonates. Eleven out of 16 (69%) pregnant women with COVID-19 had ++ or +++ of ketone body in urine. The blood uric acid of pregnant patients was 334 µmol/L (IQR, 269-452). D-dimer and FDP in pregnant patients were 3.32 mg/L (IQR, 2.18-4.21) and 9.6 mg/L (IQR, 5.9-12.4). Results of blood samples collected at birth showed that 16 neonates had leukocytes (15.7 × 109/L (IQR, 13.7-17.2)), neutrophils (11.1 × 109/L (IQR, 9.2-13.2)), CK (401 U/L (IQR, 382-647)), and LDH (445 U/L (IQR, 417-559)). Twenty-four hours after birth, a neonate from COVID-19 woman had fever and positive of SARS-CoV-2 gene. Another woman had strongly positive for SARS-CoV-2 gene (+++) for 4 weeks, and delivered one neonate who had SARS-CoV-2 IgM (46 AU/mL) and IgG (140 AU/mL) on day 1 after birth. In the third trimester, COVID-19 infection in pregnant patients raised high risks of ketonuria, hypercoagulable state, and hyperfibrinolysis, which may lead to severe complications. COVID-19 increased the inflammatory responses of placenta, and fetuses and neonates had potential organ dysregulation and coagulation disorders. There was a potential intrauterine transmission while pregnant women had high titer of SARS-CoV-2, but it is necessary to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the blood cord, placenta, and amniotic fluid to further confirm intrauterine infection of fetuses.