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SARS-CoV-2 infection and newborns

Publication |
2023

Abstract

This article discusses the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus) infection to the fetus in utero. Transplacental transmission of the virus is possible but is rare due to the special protective equipment of the placenta.

In the authors' own cohort of parturients, the risk of fetal and neonatal infection was low. They examined histological changes in the placentas of the affected mothers and described a picture of placentitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The authors added an illustrative case report of a premature infant with congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection.In the discussion, the authors then describe the possibilities and details of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to the fetus and newborn, neonatal disease, and prognosis based on literature references.