key: cord-0808678-ij53jzj0
authors: Tripathi, Shalini; Awasthi, Shally; Singh, S. N.; Kumar, Mala
title: Vertical Transmission of COVID-19
date: 2021-06-24
journal: Indian J Pediatr
DOI: 10.1007/s12098-021-03833-2
sha: 53d648ae1ac42a5b0eeab3d3c1d5a801c4b35cad
doc_id: 808678
cord_uid: ij53jzj0

nan

To the Editor: We reviewed the hospital records of neonates delivered to 176 COVID-positive mothers admitted in our university (mid-May to mid-December 2020). All these neonates were tested by RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab within 48 h of birth.

Out of 179 neonates (3 twins), 7 (3.3%) were COVIDpositive. All except 1 were born by lower segment cesarean section. Five were asymptomatic and 2 had severe birth asphyxia; of which 1 expired within 2 h of birth. The other neonate was intubated in delivery room for 72 h. Sepsis screen was negative but CRP was raised (15.5 mg/dL). Blood culture was sterile. On day 9, repeat RT-PCR was negative and the neonate was discharged on day 14. Of the positive neonates, 3 were on exclusive breast-feeding and others were on formula feed. Skin-to-skin contact was not provided, as guidelines at that time were not clear.

On repeat testing (day 5-7) by RT-PCR, all positive neonates tested negative. Of the 172 neonates who tested negative within 48 h of birth, 24 were retested after day 5 and all were negative.

Our data for vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was similar to that found in other studies abroad and from India [1] . The rates were higher from a study from India (10.7%). Most of their neonates were asymptomatic and none died due to SARS-CoV-2 [2] . However, data from Mumbai reported higher rates of vertical transmission (4.25%), more symptomatic neonates, and mortality (16.6%) [3] . The authors also reported multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in 1 neonate. Another study from Mumbai [4] reported infection rate of 10.9%, a third had symptoms.

In our hospital the perinatal transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 was low, and was maximum at the time of peak of COVID transmission in September 2020. Most cases were asymptomatic with no mortality attributable to SARS-CoV-2.

Vertical transmission of severe acute respiratorysyndrome coronavirus 2: a systematic review

Clinical profile, viral load, management and outcome of neonates born to COVID 19 positive mothers: a tertiary care centre experience from India

outcome of covid-19 positive newborns presenting to a tertiary care hospital

A single-center observational study on clinical features and outcomes of 21 SARS-CoV-2-infected neonates from India

Conflict of Interest None.