April 17, 2020

Sequential analysis of viral load in a neonate and her mother infected with SARS-CoV-2

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• The authors report on changes in viral load over time in a 27-day old neonate diagnosed with COVID-19 who presented with fever, cough and vomiting. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all clinical specimens (nasopharynx, oropharynx, stool, saliva, blood and urine) with the highest viral load found in the nasopharynx, which decreased over time, while viral load in stool samples remained high.
• These findings suggest that COVID-19 could be systemic in neonates, affecting multiple organs, including the kidneys and GI tract, thus requiring careful monitoring. The study also highlights good hygiene practices by caregivers.

Han et al. (Apr 16, 2020). Sequential analysis of viral load in a neonate and her mother infected with SARS-CoV-2. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa447