The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 and then spread globally. Little is still known about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and neonates. A review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA guideline recommendations, searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Studies’ quality assessments were performed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. A total of 37 studies were included, involving 275 pregnant women with COVID-19 and 248 neonates. The majority of pregnant women presented with mild to moderate symptoms, only 10 were admitted in the ICU, and one died. Two stillbirths were reported and the incidence of prematurity was 28%. Sixteen neonates were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, and nine of them were born from mothers infected during pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes were generally good: all the affected neonates recovered. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 yielded negative results on amniotic fluid, vaginal/cervical fluids, placenta tissue, and breast milk samples. SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women appeared associated with mild or moderate disease in most cases, with a low morbidity and mortality rate. The outcomes of neonates born from infected women were mainly favorable, although neonates at risk should be closely monitored. Further studies are needed to investigate the possibility of vertical transmission.

Recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) are a common clinical condition in children, in fact about 25% of children under 1 year and 6% of children during the first 6 years of life have RRIs. In most cases, infections occur with mild clinical manifestations and the frequency of episodes tends to decrease over time with a complete resolution by 12 years of age. However, RRIs significantly reduce child and family quality of life and lead to significant medical and social costs.Despite the importance of this condition, there is currently no agreed definition of the term RRIs in the literature, especially concerning the frequency and type of infectious episodes to be considered. The aim of this consensus document is to propose an updated definition and provide recommendations with the intent of guiding the physician in the complex process of diagnosis, management and prevention of RRIs.

Introduction: Noninvasive markers more accurate than FiO 2 would be useful to assess the severity of RDS and guide its treatment. Our aim was to assess for the first time the possibility of continuously monitoring lung oxygenation (rSO 2 L) by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and to evaluate whether rSO 2 L correlates with other oxygenation indices and RDS severity. Methods:We carried out this proof-of-concept study on 20 preterm infants with RDS requiring noninvasive respiratory support. Patients were continuously studied for 24 h by NIRS and rSO 2 L was correlated with SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, a/APO 2 , and O.I. Results:The overall value of rSO 2 L was 80.1 ± 6.2%, without significant differences between the right and left hemithorax (80.2 ± 6.7 vs. 80.0 ± 5.7%; p = 0.869). Mean values of total, right, and left rSO 2 L did not significantly change during the 24-h study period. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between total rSO 2 L and SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio (p < 0.001) and a/APO 2 (p = 0.040), and a negative relationship between total rSO 2 L and O.I. (r = −0.309; p = 0.022).Conclusions: Continuous monitoring of rSO 2 L by NIRS in preterm infants with RDS is feasible and safe. The correlation of rSO 2 L with other indices of oxygenation and RDS severity supports the accuracy and reliability of this measurement.