Title: Study of Vertical Transmission of COVID-19 Infection from Infected Pregnant Mothers to Neonates

Authors: Dr Shruti Dhale, Dr Anju Paul, Dr Shaista Parween, Dr Snehal Rathod, Dr Kuldip Shimpi, Dr Kapil Thorat

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i7.12

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an emerging rapidly evolving pandemic originated from Wuhan city of Hubei province in China. COVID-19 has rapidly spread to affect over 200 countries worldwide. Children account for 1-5% of diagnosed COVID-19 cases. The clinical characteristics, disease progression and prognosis appear to be significantly milder in pediatric population compared to adults. As per current guidelines from Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological societies of India (FOGSI), NNF, IAP suspected and confirmed COVID positive mothers should be delivered in separate delivery rooms and operation theaters. There are a few published cases of COVID-19 occurring in pregnancy and the possibility of mother fetal vertical transmission. There is a concern that the fetuses may be at risk of congenital COVID-19.

Methodology: It is a prospective cohort study and was conducted in Cama and Albless hospital, Mumbai on newborns admitted to covid positive ward with covid positive mother. Duration of this study was 3 months and 200 newborns were included. All newborns born to covid positive mothers were tested with RT PCR for COVID-19 and results were complied.

Results: Among 200 neonates reported born to covid-19 positive women, vertical transmission is suspected in 6 neonates(3%) and was confirmed by a positive RT-PCR.

Conclusion: It is evident from the present study that there is only limited,i.e 3% of vertical transmission of COVID from infected mother to newborn.

Keywords: RT PCR of Covid -19,Vertical transmission of COVID-19.

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Corresponding Author

Anju Paul

Junior Resident, D.C.H, Department of Pediatrics, Grant Govt Medical College, Mumbai, India