Outcome of Newborns with Confirmed or Possible SARS-CoV-2 Vertical Infection—A Scoping Review

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has been isolated from various tissues and body fluids, including the placenta, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of newborns. In the last few years, much scientific effort has been directed toward studying SARS-CoV-2, focusing on the different features of the virus, such as its structure and mechanisms of action. Moreover, much focus has been on developing accurate diagnostic tools and various drugs or vaccines to treat COVID-19. However, the available evidence is still scarce and consistent criteria should be used for diagnosing vertical transmission. Applying the PRISMA ScR guidelines, we conducted a scoping review with the primary objective of identifying the types, and examining the range, of available evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to newborn. We also aimed to clarify the key concepts and criteria for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 vertical infection in neonates and summarize the existing evidence and advance the awareness of SARS-CoV-2 vertical infection in pregnancy. Most studies we identified were case reports or case series (about 30% of poor quality and inconsistent reporting of the findings). Summarizing the existing classification criteria, we propose an algorithm for consistent diagnosis. Registration: INPLASY2022120093.

Early Outcome of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Neonates Diagnosed following Prenatal Maternal COVID-19 Infection: A Three-Case Series

“…Finally, as seen above, a great number of similarities between the cases were reported, and they only cover a small part of the clinical diversity this syndrome presents, highlighting the need to conduct more studies on this subject and emphasizing the need to screen newborns for MIS-N, although it is considered that the vertical transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 virus is rather low [ 25 ] and that the course of infection for healthy newborns is asymptomatic or characterized by mild clinical manifestations only [ 26 ].…”

Maternal Fever and Reduced Fetal Movement as Predictive Risk Factors for Adverse Neonatal Outcome in Cases of Congenital SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data from Case Reports and Case Series

“…The database created for a previous scoping review following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations was rebuilt and updated with reported cases of confirmed and possible congenital SARS-CoV-2 disease, published until 30 January 2023 [ 29 , 30 ]. The database and statistical analysis followed the PRISMA-IPD guidelines [ 31 ].…”

Long-Term Outcome of Neonates and Infants whose Mothers Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy – a Pilot of the Post-CRONOS Project

“…Neonatal infections with SARS-CoV-2 due to mother-to-child transmission have been described [2][3][4][5]. Though the neonatal short-term outcome seems favorable, intrauterine-exposed newborns are at an increased risk of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [6] with acute respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms being frequently observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected newborns [7,8]. Longterm effects on the neonatal central nervous system after intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 are increasingly discussed in the literature; effects on the auditory systems [9], ophthalmologic impairments [10], and delayed neurodevelopment [11][12][13] are described.…”