Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection in Newborns

Farhat, Ahmad Shah; Sayedi, Seyed Javad; Akhlaghi, Farideh; Hamedi, Abdolkarim; Ghodsi, Alireza

doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.48004.3871

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection in Newborns

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Neonatology, Neonatal Research Center, Medical Faculty Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

² Associate Professor of CF. Research center,Faculty of medicine Mashhad university of medical science.Mashhad Iran.

³ Professor of Gynecolgy Obstetrics, Faculty of medicine Mashhad university of medical science.Mashhad Iran.

⁴ Professor of Pediatric Infectious Disease,Infection Control&Hand hygine Research Center Faculty of medicine Mashhad university of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.

⁵ Student Research committee, Faculty of medicine Mashhad university of medical science.Mashhad Iran.

10.22038/ijp.2020.48004.3871

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 infection, which has been a pandemic since early 2020, can occur in pregnant women and can be transmitted to the baby after birth. There are few reports of this transmission in newborns. Because there are several causes for respiratory symptoms in a neonate, it is difficult to diagnose COVID-19 infection in the newborn. Evaluation of antibody in the blood umbilical cord may be an option in the future. We studied the COVID-19 infection in newborns.
Materials and Methods
In this longitudinal follow-up study, pregnant mothers who had suspicious symptomsof coronavirus infection before or after childbirth were consulted by the medical team for neonatal infection. Newborns were evaluated for respiratory symptoms. PCR test for corona virus was performed on pharyngeal swab or tracheal tube sample of the newborns.
Results
Twenty-five pregnant women with symptoms suspicious coronavirus infections were consulted by the team of specialists from March 15 to April 15, 2020. After delivery their babies were carefully examined and followed up. Four neonates had coronavirus confirmed by PCR test.
Conclusion
Our study showed that neonates can become infected with Covid-19 and it should be considered amongst various differential diagnosis of neonatal respiratory diseases.

Keywords