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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · AJP Rep 2024; 14(01): e62-e65
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779030
Case Report

Likely Vertical Transmission of Neonatal SARS CoV-2 Infection

Andre A. Robinson
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai West, New York, New York
,
Samantha Feder
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Sushma Krishna
3   Department of Neonatology, Mount Sinai West, New York, New York
,
Lois Brustman
4   Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mount Sinai West, New York, New York
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Abstract

Maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can affect placental function, but the possibility of intrauterine transmission has been debated. Several authors have published inclusion criteria for vertical transmission, but few reports exist that are able to meet the suggested requirements. Despite the fact that the majority of fetuses born to infected mothers do well, others become critically ill. We present a case of likely intrauterine transmission of a neonate born to a mother who was recently symptomatic with a positive SARS CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The parturient complained of decreased fetal movement and presented at 312/7 weeks' gestation with a biophysical profile score of 2/10 and required an emergency cesarean delivery. The neonate went on to develop severe leukopenia with signs of sepsis with a positive SARS CoV-2 PCR on day 4 of life and an otherwise pan-negative workup. Meeting criteria for transplacental transmission requires timely collection of several diagnostic studies that are not standard of care. Further research is needed to support the notion that intrauterine/transplacental infection is possible. Collection swabs should be obtained soon after delivery to help diagnose neonatal infection because early diagnosis is crucial to help identify opportunities for intervention.

Keywords

vertical - transmission - CoV-2 - SARS - COVID-19 - neonatal - sepsis - thrombocytopenia - infection


Publication History

Received: 20 May 2020

Accepted: 22 October 2023

Article published online:
18 February 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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