Objective Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease associated with atypical pneumonia caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan at the end of 2019. Transmission usually occurs via infected droplets and close personal contact; the possibility of vertical transmission is still under debate. This retrospective study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics of premature infants born to mothers with symptomatic COVID-19 disease. Study Design This case control study compared the clinical and laboratory data of 20 premature infants born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 with sex and gestational age–matched historical controls. Results The median gestational age and birth weight in both groups were similar. Respiratory distress developed in 11 (55.5%) infants in study group and 19 (47.5%) infants in control group. Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal surfactant administration rates were similar. Median duration of hospitalization was 8.5 (2–76) days in study group and 12 days in historical controls. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab samples for SARS-CoV-2 were found to be negative twice, in the first 24 hours and later at 24 to 48 hours of life. No neutropenia or thrombocytopenia was detected in the study group. Patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis rates were similar between groups. No mortality was observed in both groups. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies evaluating the clinical outcomes of premature infants born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers. There was no evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected women to the neonate in our cohort. The neonatal outcomes also seem to be favorable with no mortality in preterm infants. Key Points

Objective The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak had an enormous global impact. Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 appear to have higher morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the severity of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on neonatal outcomes. Study Design The clinical and laboratory data of 40 women and neonates evaluated retrospectively. Results This retrospective study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection had an adverse impact on neonatal outcomes proportionally with the maternal disease severity including increased prematurity rates, postnatal resuscitation need, prolonged hospital stay and longer ventilatory support requirement in infants born to mothers with moderate or severe disease. Conclusion Maternal disease severity had adverse effects on neonatal outcomes. The severity of maternal disease was found to be associated with increased rates of prematurity, requirement of postnatal resuscitation, prolonged hospital stay, and longer ventilatory support. Key Points

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.