What are considerations for neonates at risk for COVID-19?
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The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As of mid-June 2020, over 8 million cases have been confirmed globally [1]. However, data are limited on the transmission, incidence, and effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mothers and newborns.
A recent WHO report noted that, of 115 mother-infant pairs from 17 studies in which the mother had confirmed COVID-19, 13 infants had COVID-19 [2]. Of the 20 whose breastmilk was tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA particles by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 18 were negative and 2 were positive; one mother’s baby was not infected with COVID-19 (mix-fed), while the other was infected (feeding modality not reported). Knight et al. [3] reported the United Kingdom national cohort study of 427 pregnant women admitted to the hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The estimated incidence of the hospital admission of pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 4.9 (95% confidence interval, 4.5–5.0) [4]. per 1,000 pregnant women. Four women had a miscarriage at 10–19 weeks’ gestation. Of the 262 women who gave birth, 66 (25%) did so preterm: 32 (48%) due to maternal COVID-19, 9 (14%) due to fetal compromise, and 12 (18%) due to other obstetric conditions. Three neonates were stillborn and 2 died in the neonatal period; neither of the neonatal deaths was attributed to SARS-CoV-2. Twelve of the newborns (5%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA: 6 within the first 12 hours of life. Two of 6 infants with early-onset infection (positive test at <12 hours of age) were born vaginally, while the other 4 were born by caesarean (3 prelabor). In cases of late-onset infection (positive test at ≥12 hours of age), 4 were prelabor caesarean and 2 were vaginal births. Viral analyses were not performed of the umbilical cord blood, placenta, or vaginal secretions.
Current evidence is inconclusive about the transplacental viral transmission from mother to newborn [2-5]. SARS-CoV-2 transmission to neonates is thought to occur primarily through respiratory droplets during the postnatal period when neonates are exposed to mothers, other caregivers, visitors, or healthcare personnel with COVID-19 [4]. Since maternal and newborn care units vary in physical configuration, each facility should consider the appropriate space and staffing needs to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These considerations include the appropriate isolation of pregnant patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and their babies, training for all healthcare personnel on those units to include appropriate infection control practices and personal protective equipment use and handling, and appropriate SARS-CoV-2 testing of newborn infants [5].
RT-PCR testing of upper respiratory tract specimens is generally recommended for all neonates born to women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 regardless of whether the neonate has signs of infection. However, the optimal timing for testing after birth is unknown. Early testing may lead to false positives (due to contamination by SARS-CoV-2 RNA from maternal fluids) or false negatives (virus not detectable immediately after exposure following delivery). Newborns should be bathed after birth to remove any virus potentially present on the skin surface. However, SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are not recommended for detecting current infection in neonates [2,4,6].
Guidance on perinatal care of newborns whose mothers have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were provided by the WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [2,4,6]. The 3 organizations suggest that the benefits of breastfeeding in the setting of COVID-19 appear to outweigh the potential risks of viral transmission from mother to infant. However, there are some differences among their guidelines in breastfeeding methods as well as maternal and newborn separation practices (Table 1) [2,6,7]. The WHO recommends that an infected mother is in close contact with her baby; in infants, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is low, the infection is typically mild or asymptomatic, and the consequences of not breastfeeding or of separating mother and child can be significant [2]. The AAP focuses on minimizing neonatal infection by suggesting that the risks and benefits of temporary maternal-newborn separation be discussed with the mother by the healthcare team and decisions be made in accordance with the mother’s wishes [6]. These guidelines are being updated as more clinical information and scientific evidence become available.
Comparison of recent recommendations for newborns whose mothers have suspected or confirmed COVID-19
The city of Daegu had the first large outbreak of COVID-19 outside of China in late February to March 2020. Predominance by the 20s age group and female sex may have caused by the outbreak related to a religious group in Daegu [8]. Lee et al. [9] reported the case of the first newborn baby born to a mother with confirmed COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea. At that time, the guidance on perinatal care started with extremely little evidence [10]. The situation of COVID-19 in Korea is still evolving; therefore, it is imperative to properly update the guidelines for COVID-19 in a timely manner.
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No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.