Retrospective observational RT-PCR analyses on 688 babies born to 843 SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, placental analyses and diagnostic analyses limitations suggest vertical transmission is possible

Bahadur, G., Bhat, M., Acharya, S. , Janga, D., Campbell, B., Huirne, J., Yoong, W., Govind, A., Pardo, J. and Homburg, R. (2021) Retrospective observational RT-PCR analyses on 688 babies born to 843 SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, placental analyses and diagnostic analyses limitations suggest vertical transmission is possible. Facts, Views, and Vision in ObGyn, 13(1), pp. 53-66. (doi: 10.52054/FVVO.13.1.001) (PMID:33889861) (PMCID:PMC8051196)

Abstract

Research question: Is there vertical transmission (from mother to baby antenatally or intrapartum) after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infected pregnancy? Study design: A systematic search related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), pregnancy, neonatal complications, viral and vertical transmission. The duration was from December 2019 to May 2020. Results: A total of 84 studies with 862 COVID positive women were included. Two studies had ongoing pregnancies while 82 studies included 705 babies, 1 miscarriage and 1 medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP). Most publications (50/84, 59.5%), reported small numbers (<5) of positive babies. From 75 studies, 18 babies were COVID-19 positive. The first reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test was done in 449 babies and 2 losses, 2nd RT-PCR was done in 82 babies, IgM tests were done in 28 babies, and IgG tests were done in 28 babies. On the first RT-PCR, 47 studies reported time of testing while 28 studies did not. Positive results in the first RT-PCR were seen in 14 babies. Earliest tested at birth and the average time of the result was 22 hours. Three babies with negative first RT-PCR became positive on the second RT-PCR at day 6, day 7 and at 24 hours which continued to be positive at 1 week. Four studies with a total of 4 placental swabs were positive demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 localised in the placenta. In 2 studies, 10 tests for amniotic fluid were positive for SARS-CoV-2. These 2 babies were found to be positive on RT-PCR on serial testing. Conclusion: Diagnostic testing combined with incubation period and placental pathology indicate a strong likelihood that intrapartum vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from mother to baby is possible.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pregnancy, risks, vertical transmission.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Acharya, Santanu
• Authors: Bahadur, G., Bhat, M., Acharya, S., Janga, D., Campbell, B., Huirne, J., Yoong, W., Govind, A., Pardo, J., and Homburg, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Facts, Views, and Vision in ObGyn
• Publisher: Universa Press
• ISSN: 2032-0418
• ISSN (Online): 2684-4230
• Published Online: 31 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in 13(1): 53-66
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy