Newborns of COVID-19 positive mothers during the first wave of pandemic in the Czech Republic (1.3.-31.8.2020)
Abstract
Object of the study: Object of the study was to obtain information about clinical state of COVID-19 positive mothers and their newborns during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic (1.3.-31.8.2020). Design of the study: Retrospective epidemiological study.
Groups: Group of patients consisted of 18 SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women and the same amount of newborns. Data collection: Data was collected from previously designated gynaecology and obstetrics and neonatology departments in the Czech Republic (n=90) through set of questions sent via e-mail and when necessary completed through phone call.
Outcomes: Out of 18 women with SARS-CoV-2 positive nasopharyngeal swab, 15 were asymptomatic, 2 women had mild symptoms and only 1 had severe clinical symptoms. All newborns were born between the 36th and 41st gestational week, 12 of them (67.7%) were born by spontaneous vaginal birth, 6 newborns (32.3%) were born via cesarean section.
Average birth weight was 3275 g, no newborn was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction. Postnatal adaptation was uncomplicated except for one case of mild RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). 13 newborns underwent nasopharyngeal swab.
Only 1 was positive in an asymptomatic newborn on the 14th day of life. RDS developed only in 1 newborn, there it was not able to rule out amniotic fluid aspiration, other newborns (94.4%) were clinically with no symptoms.
Conclusion: Collected data from the Czech Republic during the first wave of pandemic confirms conclusions of up-to-date studies. SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women has in majority of cases no adverse effect on their newborns.
Majority of mothers overcame mild or moderate symptoms and prognosis of their newborns is good as reported in literature and also in unity with conclusion of our study. At the same time no vertical transmission of infection was reported.