Risk of transmission of COVID- 19 to newborns in COVID-19 positive mothers - a case series

ABSTRACT

Background: High risk of COVID-19 infection is reported in neonates of COVID-19-affected females along with adverse effects secondary to the infection. Limited work in literature is done on COVID-19 infection transmission from affected females to neonates born to them with few studies reporting vertical transmission of COVID-19. Aim: To evaluate SARS-CoV-2 vertical or perinatal transmission and describe neonatal clinical findings and short-term outcomes in babies born to Covid- 19 positive mothers. Methods: The study assessed 19 females and 19 neonates. All neonates immediately after birth were breastfed and kept with the mother in cases with the clinically stable situation for babies and mothers both. For all the babies, nasal swab samples were sent to detect SARS-CoV-2 on day 1 of their birth. The neonates were followed for 7-14 days after their birth followed by reassessment for SARS-CoV-2 from nasal swab specimens. Results: All babies were healthy with no detection of SARS-CoV-2 seen from the neonates from the nasopharyngeal swabs. Also, no separation was done from mothers, and breastfed was given to all the neonates which showed no transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from breast milk to the neonates. Conclusion: Benefits of breastfeeding are higher compared to the risk of perinatal or vertical transmission depicting that there is no need for separation of the neonate from SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Also, neonates can be breastfed from COVID-19-positive mothers without the risk of virus transmission.