Need for Neonatal Resuscitation: Does Maternal COVID-19 Affect It?

Abstract

Background Maternal COVID-19 infection acquired during late pregnancy carries a potential risk for adverse neonatal outcomes. There is still a paucity of data on its effect on the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of maternal COVID-19 infection on neonates for the risk and need for resuscitation at birth, Apgar scores at 1- and 5-minutes, and the need of NICU admission during early neonatal period. Materials and method In this hospital-based prospective matched cohort study, 100 COVID-positive pregnant women presenting for delivery were enrolled. We also included 100 non-COVID pregnant women after the best possible matching of their major baseline parameters with the study group. Neonates of both groups were followed-up till 7 days of life. Results The two groups were comparable for all baseline variables except for the mode of delivery. The requirement of neonatal resuscitation was 30% and 21% in the study and control groups (RR = 1.429; 95% CI 0.88–2.32; p = 0.149). Apgar scores at 1- and 5- minutes were also unaffected by maternal COVID-19 infection with mean scores of 8.8 ± 0.651 vs. 8.87 ± 0.562 (p = 0.42) in the study and control groups, respectively. COVID-exposed neonates had a higher incidence of NICU admission when compared with the unexposed group (RR =1.616; 95% CI 1.002–2.606; p = 0.047). Among neonates born to COVID-positive mothers, 11% demonstrated evidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity within first 5 days of life. The risk for need of resuscitation and mean Apgar scores were comparable among SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative neonates (p > 0.05). Conclusion COVID-19 infection in pregnant women is not associated with an increased risk of neonatal resuscitation.