Long-Term Outcome of Neonates and Infants whose Mothers Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy – a Pilot of the Post-CRONOS Project

Abstract

Objective Long-term effects on infants of mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are increasingly discussed in the literature. Besides potential neurodevelopment impairments after intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 exposure, there might be differences in the postnatal pediatric care of those children, like the timing of preventive medical examinations (PME) or vaccinations. In this first national long-term follow-up study of women included in the CRONOS registry, we describe maternal impressions of their child´s development and the prevalence of regulatory disorders, and we analyze the timing of PMEs and vaccinations.

Methods 773 women who were enrolled between April 3, 2020, and August 24, 2021, in the CRONOS registry were eligible to be contacted by the study coordinators and asked to fill out a web-based questionnaire.

Results 110/773 (14%) women completed the questionnaire. Their children were between the ages of 12 and 31 months (median 20 months). All mothers were satisfied with their child´s development, milestones were achieved in a timely fashion. The reported prevalence for excessive crying, sleeping, and feeding disorders was 11%, 18–32%, and 7%, respectively. PMEs were mostly not delayed, but only 54% of infants received their first vaccination within their first 60 days of life. Discussion  In summary, our exploratory findings suggest that developmental milestones in infancy are reached in time after maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. However, there are effects on the implementation of PMEs and vaccinations.

Zusammenfassung

Einführung In der Literatur werden zunehmend potenzielle Langzeitfolgen für Säuglinge nach intrauteriner SARS-CoV-2-Exposition diskutiert. Neben möglichen Beeinträchtigungen der neurologischen Entwicklung können Unterschiede in der pädiatrischen postnatalen Betreuung bei diesen Kindern z. B. bei der Durchführung von Vorsorgeuntersuchungen (sog. U´s) oder Impfungen bestehen. In dieser ersten nationalen Langzeit-Follow-up-Studie aus dem CRONOS-Register beschreiben wir mütterliche Eindrücke zur Entwicklung ihres Kindes, sowie die Prävalenz von Regulationsstörungen. Wir analysieren den Zeitpunkt von U´s und Impfungen.

Methoden 773 Frauen, die zwischen dem 03.04.2020 und dem 24.08.2021 in CRONOS aufgenommen wurden, wurden von den Studienkoordinatoren kontaktiert und gebeten, einen webbasierten Fragebogen auszufüllen.

Ergebnisse 110/773 (14%) Frauen füllten den Fragebogen aus, ihre Kinder waren zwischen 12 und 31 Monate alt (Median 20 Monate). Alle Mütter waren mit der Entwicklung ihres Kindes zufrieden, Meilensteine der Entwicklung wurden zeitgerecht erreicht. Die berichtete Prävalenz für exzessives Schreien, Schlaf- und Fütterstörungen betrug 11%, 18–32% bzw. 7%. U´s wurden meist zeitgerecht durchgeführt, aber nur 54% der Säuglinge erhielten ihre erste Impfung innerhalb der ersten 60 Lebenstage.

Diskussion Zusammenfassend deuten unsere explorativen Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass Entwicklungsmeilensteine im Säuglingsalter nach mütterlicher SARS-CoV-2-Infektion in der Schwangerschaft rechtzeitig erreicht werden. Es zeigen sich jedoch Auswirkungen auf die Durchführung von Vorsorgen und Impfungen.

Schlüsselwörter

Neonatalperiode - Neonatologie - Prävention

Key words

neonates - neonatology - prevention

Publication History

Received: 31 July 2023

Accepted: 30 October 2023

Article published online:
08 February 2024

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