April 27, 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vertical Transmission in Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19 Pneumonia

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• Hu et al report on seven cases of COVID-19 during late pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Maternal and neonatal samples were tested with PCR for evidence of vertical transmission. Amniotic fluid samples obtained at delivery from seven patients were negative, and one of the seven neonates tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.  These findings suggest that the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from infected mothers during the last days of pregnancy is possible but relatively infrequent.

Hu et al. (April 17, 2020). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vertical Transmission in Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19 Pneumonia. Obstetrics and Gynecology. Pre-print downloaded Apr 27 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32332320