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Heyward EB, Clark RH, Smith PB, Benjamin DK, Zimmerman KO, Ahmad KA, Blackwell CK, Won H, Ssengonzi R, Belbase A, Ndalama CO, An J, Nwaezeigwe O, Greenberg RG. Trends in COVID-19 diagnoses and outcomes in infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 2024; 44:35-39. [PMID: 37452116 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Characterize the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis among mothers with infants hospitalized in 294 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and demographics and outcomes of infants with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure in utero. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study of infants discharged from NICUs 01/2020-09/2021. We defined groups based on infant diagnosis, infant testing, and maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection status. We compared demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. RESULTS Of 150,924 infants, 94% had no COVID-related diagnosis or test; 247 (0.2%) infants tested positive for COVID-19 and were more likely to require mechanical ventilation. Infants with unknown maternal status and negative testing were more commonly premature, outborn, and had longer hospitalizations. CONCLUSION In this large cohort of hospitalized infants, most had no known exposure to COVID-19. Adverse outcomes and mortality were rare. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of COVID-19 in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reese H Clark
- Pediatrix Center for Research, Education, Quality, and Safety, Sunrise, FL, USA
| | - P Brian Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel K Benjamin
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kanecia O Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kaashif A Ahmad
- Pediatrix Center for Research, Education, Quality, and Safety, Sunrise, FL, USA
- Pediatrix Neonatology of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney K Blackwell
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hannah Won
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Avi Belbase
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jennifer An
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Rachel G Greenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
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Chimukuche RS, Nkosi B, Seeley J. Policy and Guideline Review of Vaccine Safety for COVID-19 in Pregnant Women in Southern Africa, with a Particular Focus on South Africa. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122077. [PMID: 36560487 PMCID: PMC9786044 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant and lactating mothers have historically been excluded from clinical trials. To understand the shift from excluding to including this population in COVID-19 vaccine trials, we conducted a review of guidance issued by countries in southern Africa over the last three years. We conducted a review of documents and official statements recorded on Ministries of Health websites, and social media platforms, the World Health Organisation website, the COVID-19 Maternal Immunisation tracker and the African Union official webpage. Search terms included COVID-19 vaccination policies, guidelines for pregnant and lactating women, COVID-19 vaccination trials and pregnant women. We retrieved and reviewed policies, guidelines, and official statements from 12 countries. We found inconsistencies and incomplete guidance in respect to the inclusion of pregnant and lactating mothers in COVID-19 vaccine trials from the selected countries. Of the twelve countries reviewed, Namibia and South Africa had clear guidance on vaccination plans and implementation for pregnant women, and their inclusion in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Explicit and clear guidelines are critical in communicating changes in policy towards those deemed vulnerable for them to participate in vaccine trials. This review provides lessons for future pandemics on managing changes in guidance towards those groups historically excluded from vaccine and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujeko Samanthia Chimukuche
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Busisiwe Nkosi
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK
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Flannery DD, Gouma S, Dhudasia MB, Mukhopadhyay S, Pfeifer MR, Woodford EC, Briker SM, Triebwasser JE, Gerber JS, Morris JS, Weirick ME, McAllister CM, Hensley SE, Puopolo KM. Comparison of Maternal and Neonatal Antibody Levels After COVID-19 Vaccination vs SARS-CoV-2 Infection. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2240993. [PMID: 36350652 PMCID: PMC9647482 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Pregnant persons are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19 vaccination is currently recommended during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE To ascertain the association of vaccine type, time from vaccination, gestational age at delivery, and pregnancy complications with placental transfer of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study was conducted in Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and included births at the study site between August 9, 2020, and April 25, 2021. Maternal and cord blood serum samples were available for antibody level measurements for maternal-neonatal dyads. EXPOSURES SARS-CoV-2 infection vs COVID-19 vaccination. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES IgG antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody concentrations and transplacental transfer ratios were measured after SARS-CoV-2 infection or receipt of COVID-19 vaccines. RESULTS A total of 585 maternal-newborn dyads (median [IQR] maternal age, 31 [26-35] years; median [IQR] gestational age, 39 [38-40] weeks) with maternal IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected at the time of delivery were included. IgG was detected in cord blood from 557 of 585 newborns (95.2%). Among 169 vaccinated persons without SARS-CoV-2 infection, the interval from first dose of vaccine to delivery ranged from 12 to 122 days. The geometric mean IgG level among 169 vaccine recipients was significantly higher than that measured in 408 persons after infection (33.88 [95% CI, 27.64-41.53] arbitrary U/mL vs 2.80 [95% CI, 2.50-3.13] arbitrary U/mL). Geometric mean IgG levels were higher after vaccination with the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine compared with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccine (53.74 [95% CI, 40.49-71.33] arbitrary U/mL vs 25.45 [95% CI, 19.17-33.79] arbitrary U/mL; P < .001). Placental transfer ratios were lower after vaccination compared with after infection (0.80 [95% CI, 0.68-0.93] vs 1.06 [95% CI, 0.98-1.14]; P < .001) but were similar between the mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273: 0.70 [95% CI, 0.55-0.90]; BNT162b2: 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]; P = .25). Time from infection or vaccination to delivery was associated with transfer ratio in models that included gestational age at delivery and maternal hypertensive disorders, diabetes, and obesity. Placental antibody transfer was detectable as early as 26 weeks' gestation. Transfer ratio that was higher than 1.0 was present for 48 of 51 (94.1%) births at 36 weeks' gestation or later by 8 weeks after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that maternal and cord blood IgG antibody levels were higher after COVID-19 vaccination compared with after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with slightly lower placental transfer ratios after vaccination than after infection. The findings suggest that time from infection or vaccination to delivery was the most important factor in transfer efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin D. Flannery
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Clinical Futures, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sigrid Gouma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Miren B. Dhudasia
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Clinical Futures, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sagori Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Clinical Futures, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Madeline R. Pfeifer
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emily C. Woodford
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sara M. Briker
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | | | - Jeffrey S. Gerber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Clinical Futures, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Jeffrey S. Morris
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Madison E. Weirick
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | | | - Scott E. Hensley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - Karen M. Puopolo
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Clinical Futures, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Abu-Raya B, Madhi SA, Omer SB, Amirthalingam G, Giles ML, Flanagan KL, Zimmermann P, O’Ryan M, Safadi MA, Papaevangelou V, Maertens K, Wanlapakorn N, Diaz-Brito V, Tommelein E, Esposito S. Global Perspectives on Immunization Against SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy and Priorities for Future Research: An International Consensus Paper From the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders. Front Immunol 2021; 12:808064. [PMID: 35003137 PMCID: PMC8733958 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.808064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk for severe morbidity and mortality when compared with infection in non-pregnant women of childbearing age. An increasing number of countries recommend immunization against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women. Recent studies provide preliminary and supportive evidence on safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in pregnant women; however, important knowledge gaps remain which warrant further studies. This collaborative consensus paper provides a review of the current literature on COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women, identifies knowledge gaps and outlines priorities for future research to optimize protection against SARS-CoV-2 in the pregnant women and their infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahaa Abu-Raya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shabir A. Madhi
- South African Medical Research Council, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- African Leadership in Vaccinology Expertise, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Saad B. Omer
- Department of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gayatri Amirthalingam
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle L. Giles
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katie L. Flanagan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Tasmanian Vaccine Trial Centre, Clifford Craig Foundation, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Petra Zimmermann
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Fribourg Hospital HFR, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Miguel O’Ryan
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Marco A. Safadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vassiliki Papaevangelou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Third Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece
| | - Kirsten Maertens
- Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine & Infectious Diseases Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nasamon Wanlapakorn
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vicens Diaz-Brito
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu,, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eline Tommelein
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Pietro Barilla Children’s Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Citron MP, McAnulty J, Callahan C, Knapp W, Fontenot J, Morales P, Flynn JA, Douglas CM, Espeseth AS. Transplacental Antibody Transfer of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Specific IgG in Non-Human Primate Mother-Infant Pairs. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111441. [PMID: 34832599 PMCID: PMC8624788 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One approach to protect new-borns against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is to vaccinate pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy. The boosting of circulating antibodies which can be transferred to the foetus would offer immune protection against the virus and ultimately the disease. Since non-human primates (NHPs) have similar reproductive anatomy, physiology, and antibody architecture and kinetics to humans, we utilized this preclinical species to evaluate maternal immunization (MI) using an RSV F subunit vaccine. Three species of NHPs known for their ability to be infected with human RSV in experimental challenge studies were tested for RSV-specific antibodies. African green monkeys had the highest overall antibody levels of the old-world monkeys evaluated and they gave birth to offspring with anti-RSV titers that were proportional to their mother. These higher overall antibody levels are associated with greater durability found in their offspring. Immunization of RSV seropositive AGMs during late pregnancy boosts RSV titers, which consequentially results in significantly higher titers in the vaccinated new-borns compared to the new-borns of unvaccinated mothers. These findings, accomplished in small treatment group sizes, demonstrate a model that provides an efficient, resource sparing and translatable preclinical in vivo system for evaluating vaccine candidates for maternal immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Citron
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jessica McAnulty
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Cheryl Callahan
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Walter Knapp
- Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA;
| | - Jane Fontenot
- The New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA 70560, USA;
| | - Pablo Morales
- The Mannheimer Foundation, Homestead, FL 33034, USA;
| | - Jessica A. Flynn
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Cameron M. Douglas
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Amy S. Espeseth
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
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