The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 on newborns

Abstract

Purpose of review To evaluate the available literature regarding effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on newborns, ranging from effects related to in utero and perinatal exposure to maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, to pandemic-related stress and socioeconomic changes. Recent findings Several large studies and national registries have shown that the risk of vertical transmission from SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers to newborns is rare and does not appear to be related to postnatal care policies such as mother–newborn separation and breastfeeding. Newborns exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero are at higher risk for preterm delivery for reasons still under investigation. When newborns do acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection, their disease course is usually mild. Long-term follow-up data are lacking, but preliminary reports indicate that, similarly to prior natural disasters, being born during the pandemic may be associated with developmental risk. Summary Although risk of vertical or perinatal transmission is low across a range of postnatal care practices, early indicators suggest developmental risk to the generation born during the pandemic. Long-term follow-up data are critically needed to determine the developmental impact of in utero and early life exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and subsequent infection of pregnant mice on the behaviors of offspring

“…Maternal exposure to microbial infection or immune activation during pregnancy has a long‐term impact on the development of the fetus after birth. Early research data show that the generation born during the pandemic of infectious diseases is at developmental risk 10 . The infection of pregnant women with viruses, such as rubella, respiratory tract infection, influenza, and bacterial infection, is a risk factor for numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders in their offspring 11–14 .…”

“…Early research data show that the generation born during the pandemic of infectious diseases is at developmental risk. 10 The infection of pregnant women with viruses, such as rubella, respiratory tract infection, influenza, and bacterial infection, is a risk factor for numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders in their offspring. [11][12][13][14] For a subset of women, maternal infection may be an inducement, leading to an altered trajectory of fetal brain development.…”

The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing in New Mexico

“…Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as SARS-CoV-2, has been shown to have numerous effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes, including increased rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as an increased rate of a preterm birth, cesarean section, intrauterine growth restriction, low birthweight, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, thrombotic events, fetal distress, APGAR scores < 7, NICU admission, stillbirth, and maternal and neonatal death [ 4 , 5 , 19 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In the present study, we demonstrated a significant difference between the mode and timing of delivery between the two maternal groups.…”

“…COVID-19 has been shown to have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including increased rates of preterm births, cesarean sections, intrauterine growth restrictions, low birthweights, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, thrombotic events, fetal distress, APGAR scores < 7, NICU admissions, stillbirths, and maternal and neonatal deaths [ 4 , 5 , 19 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The increased rate of preterm births has been affected by increased maternal indications for delivery, such as worsening COVID-19 infection and increased rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [ 32 ].…”

Mild or Moderate COVID-19 during Pregnancy Does Not Affect the Content of CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Umbilical Cord Blood of Newborns

“…However, many aspects of SARS-CoV-2 effect on pregnant woman and the effects of COVID-19 on the fetus remain insufficiently studied. This first of all refers to the effect of coronavirus disease of a pregnant woman on the developing fetus and, later, on the newborn [6,15]. The effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on the parameters of umbilical cord blood (UCB) remains unexplored.…”