March 27, 2020

Antibodies in Infants Born to Mothers With COVID-19 Pneumonia

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• A study reviewed outcomes of six neonates, all delivered via C-section to COVID-19-positive mothers.  All tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and had generally favorable outcomes, however had elevated antibody and cytokine levels, indicating potential in-utero infection.
• A larger study of 33 neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 found that clinical symptoms were mild, outcomes were favorable, and no deaths were reported. 9% of infants in this study presented with early onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection suggesting a possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission.

Zeng et al. (Mar 26, 2020). Antibodies in Infants Born to Mothers With COVID-19 Pneumonia. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.4861

Zeng et al. (Mar 26, 2020). Neonatal Early-Onset Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in 33 Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.  JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0878