Do Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Pose a Risk to Their Newborns?

No definitive transmission was seen among 100 mother-infant pairs.

Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported but appears rare (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Sep 2020 and Nat Commun 2020; 11:3572). To study this risk further, researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study in 101 newborns born to 100 women with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2, with or without symptoms, at two hospitals in New York City in early spring of 2020.

Mothers and infants roomed together when possible (75% of pairs), breast-feeding was promoted, and infection control measures were reinforced. All infants were screened for SARS-CoV-2 on day of life 0, 1, or 2 (15, 79, and 7 infants, respectively). Findings include the following:

Eighty-two newborns were admitted to the well-baby nursery and 19 to the NICU (for non–SARS-C…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Lehman, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Deborah Lehman, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Do Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Pose a Risk to Their Newborns?

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Reviewing Author