Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers at 2 weeks of life
Author Department
Pediatrics
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
4-2024
Abstract
Introduction: Limited evidence exists on management recommendations for neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. This study looked at transmission risk of neonates presenting for primary care in a large regional health system within New York during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers presenting at any of the 19 Northwell Health-Cohen Children's Medical Center primary care practices who underwent another oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by day of life (DOL) 14.
Results: Among 293 newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers who were negative at birth, 222 were retested at DOL 14, corresponding to times with different predominant strains. Of these, seven tested positive but had no symptoms.
Conclusion: The overall low transmission rates and absence of symptomatic infection support the safety of direct breastfeeding after hospital discharge with appropriate hand and breast hygiene.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; newborns; pediatric medicine; transmission risk.
Recommended Citation
Jan S, Katz R, Fagan D, Santos T, Beachy JC, Steinway C, Chen J, Tsouristakis A, Mancenido B, Leung C, Moore E, Wilson E, Lin L, Harte M, Katzow M, Rubin LG. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers at 2 weeks of life. Front Pediatr. 2024 Apr 25;12:1381104. doi: 10.3389/fped.2024.1381104.
PMID
38725986