Cord blood antibodies following BBIBP‐CorV (Sinopharm) vaccination during pregnancy

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the maternal and umbilical cord blood antibody levels, after COVID vaccination during pregnancy. Method The women who received the COVID‐19 vaccine (Sinopharm) during pregnancy were included. Maternal and cord blood samples were tested to detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor binding domain (RBD) specific antibodies. In addition, obstetric information and side effects after vaccination were gathered. Result A total of 23 women were included. Eleven pregnant women took two doses and 12 cases received a single dose of the vaccine. No IgM antibody was detected in any maternal blood or cord blood samples. The RBD‐specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody was positive in mothers receiving 2 doses of the vaccine and their infants. But the antibody titers were under the positive cut‐off threshold for the other 12 women who were vaccinated with a single dose. Women who received both doses of vaccine had significantly higher IgG levels than a single dose of Sinopharm (p = .025). The same result was demonstrated in infants born to these mothers (p = .019). Conclusion There was a significant correlation between maternal and neonatal IgG concentrations. Although, receiving both doses of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine (not 1 dose) during pregnancy is highly beneficial for increasing humoral immunity for the mother and fetus.

Keywords

• antibody
• cord blood
• COVID‐19
• Iran
• maternal mortality
• pregnancy