The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 on newborns

Association between maternal coronavirus disease 2019 and transient tachypnea of the newborn: a single-center study

BACKGROUND

Limited clinical reports have investigated the effects of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on fetuses and neonates.

PURPOSE

This retrospective study aimed to assess the impact of maternal COVID-19 on neonates during the perinatal period, including neonatal clinical outcomes, versus the outcomes of neonates of mothers without COVID-19.

METHODS

Neonates born to COVID-19-infected mothers at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital between February 2021 and March 2022 were included. Those with gestational age (GA) ≥35+0 weeks who were born within 2 weeks of the maternal infection were matched 1:2 with a control group based on GA. The main outcomes were respiratory diseases, including transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, the need for respiratory support, and length of hospital stay. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed and adjusted for relevant covariates, including maternal age, obstetric complications (hypertension and gestational diabetes), delivery mode, birth weight, sex, and small-for-gestational-age status.

RESULTS

The case group comprised 103 neonates (mean GA, 38.5±1.3 weeks; mean birth weight, 3,121±397 g), while the control group included 206 neonates (mean GA, 38.4±1.2 weeks; mean birth weight, 3088±428 g). In the case and control groups, the proportion of cesarean sections was 91% and 40%, respectively, while the proportion of male infants was 56% and 47%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the case group had a higher risk of TTN (adjusted odd ratio [AOR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-8.07), noninvasive respiratory ventilator use (AOR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.05-4.97), and oxygen support (AOR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.46-15.95).

CONCLUSION

Newborns born to COVID-19-infected mothers are at increased risk of TTN and may require respiratory support. Close monitoring of respiratory symptoms is crucial in neonates.

Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused many significant changes to all aspects of day to day life. The disease has spread and reached pandemic proportions. The principle route of transmission is the respiratory route. Infants, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers have all been affected. Many interventions and guidelines from important societies have been instituted in order to curb the transmission of the disease. These have involved both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. COVID-19 vaccines have also emerged as important methods of primary prevention of the disease. But several questions have been raised concerning the safety and efficacy of their use in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. It has also not been clear if the vaccines are effective in generating a robust immune response in the pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to confer passive immunity to the fetuses and infants, respectively. And they have not been tested in infants. The aspect of infant feeding has equally been affected. Although breast milk has not been known to serve as the vehicle of transmission of the virus, there is still some lack of uniformity of practice regarding breastfeeding when a mother has SARS-CoV-2 infection. This has led to infant feeding being done by the use of commercial formula feeds, pasteurized human donor breast milk, feeding on the mother's own expressed breast milk by a care giver and directly breastfeeding with skin to skin contact. This is despite breast milk being the most physiologically appropriate type of feed for infants. Therefore the pertinent question remains; should breastfeeding continue during the pandemic continue? This review also seeks to analyse the vast amount of scientific information regarding the subject and to synthesize science-based information.

The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing in New Mexico

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to affect the vasculature, including placental changes. Insults to the placenta, especially in the first and second trimester, can affect placental functionality with a resultant impact on fetal growth and wellbeing. Thus, we explored the relationship between antenatally acquired maternal COVID-19 infection and neonatal birth characteristics. A retrospective chart review was completed using the University of New Mexico electronic medical record system. ICD-10 codes were used to identify individuals that had a positive pregnancy test and positive COVID-19 screening test between 1 March 2020 to 24 March 2021. Chi-square and nonparametric Wilcoxon analyses were used, with p < 0.05 considered significant. A total of 487 dyad charts was analyzed, with 76 (16%) individuals identified as being COVID-19-positive (CovPos) during pregnancy. CovPos mothers were significantly more likely to deliver via a cesarean section compared to CovNeg mothers (33% vs. 20%, p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in gestational age at delivery, with infants born to CovPos individuals born at an earlier gestational age than those born to CovNeg individuals (37.6 vs. 38.5 weeks; p < 0.01). Our findings showed differences in maternal and infant characteristics following COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Additional investigations are required to further delineate these relationships with a focus on potential long-term impacts on the neonate.

The effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and subsequent infection of pregnant mice on the behaviors of offspring

The mass inoculation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines to induce herd immunity is one of the most effective measures we can deploy in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Pregnant women are prone to a higher risk of COVID-19, and maternal infection is a risk factor for a range of neurological disorders leading to abnormal behavior in adulthood. However, there are limited clinical data to support whether vaccination or infection post-immunization in pregnant women can affect the behavioral cognition of fetuses in adulthood. In this study, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 pregnant mice (F0 generation) were immunized with CoronaVac and then infected with SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently, we analyzed the behavioral cognition of their adult offspring (F1 generation) using the open-field test and Morris water maze test. The adult F1 generation did not exhibit any impairments in spontaneous locomotor activity or spatial reference memory.

Mild or Moderate COVID-19 during Pregnancy Does Not Affect the Content of CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Umbilical Cord Blood of Newborns

The study included umbilical cord blood samples (n=64) intended for cryogenic storage of hematopoietic stem cells and obtained from patients with a history of mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 during pregnancy. The control group was composed of samples (n=746) obtained from healthy women in labor. A comparative analysis of the volume of cord blood collected, the total leukocyte count, the relative and absolute content of cells with the CD34⁺/CD45⁺ phenotype revealed no significant differences between the groups.