Neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 in a developing country setup

Manas Kumar Nayak; Santosh Kumar Panda; Subhra Snigdha Panda; Soumini Rath; Arpan Ghosh; Nirmal Kumar Mohakud

Pediatrics and Neonatology (Sep 2021)

Neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 in a developing country setup

Manas Kumar Nayak,
Santosh Kumar Panda,
Subhra Snigdha Panda,
Soumini Rath,
Arpan Ghosh,
Nirmal Kumar Mohakud

Affiliations

Manas Kumar Nayak: Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India
Santosh Kumar Panda: Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India
Subhra Snigdha Panda: Department of Microbiology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India
Soumini Rath: Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India
Arpan Ghosh: School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India; KIIT Technology Business Incubator, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India
Nirmal Kumar Mohakud: Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India; School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India; Corresponding author. Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT DU), Bhubaneswar, India.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 62, no. 5
pp. 499 – 505

Abstract

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Background: Current evidence on vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and neonatal outcome among exposed newborns is emerging and posing a challenge for preventive interventions. Perinatal transmission to the neonates especially during breastfeeding and rooming in is also relatively unknown. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Kalinga Institute of Medical Science (KIMS), Odisha state from 1st May to 20th October 2020. A total of 165 neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers were enrolled. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) testing was done in first 32 neonates in initial 24 h of life. Results: The clinical characteristics of 162 mothers & 165 neonates were analyzed. Mode of delivery was by caesarian section in most (n = 103, 60%) cases. Three (3/32, 9.4%) inborn and 6 outborn neonates were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Thirty-eight (23%) babies needed neonatal intensive care. Clinical characteristics of neonates were meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF [23.63%]), prematurity (16.9%), respiratory distress (10.5%), moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (3.6%), sepsis (7%) and hyperbilirubinemia (8.7%). Out of 138 stable babies kept on mother side and initiated breast feeding, none of them developed any signs and symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2. Five (3%) neonates died in COVID hospital of which one baby was SARS-CoV-2 positive. Conclusion: There was an increased rate of incidences of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, meconium stained liquor and cesarean section delivery in COVID hospital. We found a possible vertical transmission in 9.4% cases. None of the neonates developed sign and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection during rooming in and breast feeding.

Published in Pediatrics and Neonatology

ISSN: 1875-9572 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Pediatrics
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/pediatrics-and-neonatology/

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