Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 positivity in neonates born to mothers with COVID-19

Sangamithra Ravi¹; Oluwadamilola Akande¹; Halimah Khalil¹; Maurie Kuha Kumaran¹; Jameela Sheikh¹; John Allotey²; Javier Zamora^2,3; Shakila Thangaratinam^2,4; Thangaratinam Research Group²; Tania Kew¹; Silvia Fernández-García²

¹ College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; ² Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women’s Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; ³ Head of Clinical Biostatistics Unit, Hospital Ramon y Cajal of Biomedical Research, Madrid, Spain; ⁴ Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

INTRODUCTION

Maternal infection with SARS-CoV-2 has raised concerns about the potential for mother-to-child transmission of the virus¹.The extent to which maternal factors, such as severe COVID-19, timing of infection, mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and postnatal contact with offspring, are associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity in babies needs to be known to inform maternal care.

Severe maternal COVID-19 and postnatal maternal infection were found to be associated with offspring SARS-CoV-2 positivity in the original review published by the PregCOV-19 Living Systematic Review Consortium².

OBJECTIVE

This living systematic review and meta-analysis update aims to:

determine maternal and perinatal risk factors associated with neonatal SARS-CoV-2 positivity

CONCLUSION

Severity of maternal COVID-19 may be associated with neonatal SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Inconsistent reporting of neonatal outcomes made determining whether complications were related to SARS-CoV-2 difficult. Follow-up of positive neonates is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and guide precautionary measures.