Possible Vertical Transmission From an Unsuspected SARS-CoV-2-Infected Mother to Her Newborn

Abstract

Although the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been found to have multiple routes of transmission, limited data exist on whether the vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can occur from asymptomatic infected mothers to their newborns during pregnancy. We report a full-term newborn girl who was found to be positive for COVID-19 at 24 hours of life and subsequently symptomatic with fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and elevated total bilirubin. The newborn was delivered by a mother who was not suspected of having COVID-19 before giving birth, but who developed fever and dyspnea five hours after delivery and was found to be positive for COVID-19. Upon further history collection, the mother reported recent mild nasal congestion in the days prior to delivery. This case highlights that the vertical transmission of COVID-19 to a newborn may occur late during the third trimester from a mother who was not suspected of having the infection. All pregnant women may need to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, including non-specific symptoms, prior to admission for labor and delivery floors in order to perform diagnostic tests and recommended safety precautions to keep newborns and hospital personnel safe.

High transferability of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 to umbilical cord blood in pregnant women with BNT162b2 XBB.1.5 vaccine - a retrospective cohort study

“…Consequently, in Japan, as in other countries worldwide, vaccination with the BNT162b2 XBB.1.5 vaccine, which is compatible with the omicron SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, is recommended (19). In line with these recommendations, we have similarly shown that pregnant women vaccinated with BNT162b2 XBB.1.5 exhibit the transfer of neutralizing antibodies (IgG and IgA) against the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to umbilical cord blood and breast milk (10,13,14,15).…”

“…A clinical study revealed the presence of neutralizing antibodies against the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 in umbilical cord blood and breast milk of pregnant women vaccinated with the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) (10,11,12,13,14,15). However, the amino acids in the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 mutate rapidly (16), leading to the emergence of numerous mutant viruses and their subvariants of SARS-CoV-2.…”

Investigating the association between severity of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes

“…This observation was also reported by several studies; however, most of the infected neonates were only mild during the prenatal period 31 , 32 . Furthermore, a previous case report presented a pregnant woman without unsuspected COVID-19 symptoms delivered a fetus with COVID-19 typical symptoms and confirmed positive PCR test, which demonstrates that vertical transmission can highly occur during the late pregnancy (3rd trimester) or upon delivery even if the mother have non-specific symptoms of COVID-19 33 . This case spotlights the value of regular COVID-19 screening of pregnant women for specific and nonspecific symptoms of the disease prior delivery to account all required precautions and ensure safety of mothers, newborns, as well as medical staff.…”

High Transferability of Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 to Umbilical Cord Blood in Pregnant Women Vaccinated with BNT162b2 XBB.1.5: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…A clinical study revealed the presence of neutralizing antibodies against the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 in umbilical cord blood and breast milk from pregnant women vaccinated with the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. However, the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 undergoes rapid mutations [ 19 ], leading to the emergence of numerous mutant viruses and their subvariants.…”