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Case Reports
. 2020 Sep;39(9):e257-e260.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002821.

Probable Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Alicia Demirjian  1   2   3 , Cheentan Singh  4 , Marc Tebruegge  1   5 , Rachel Herbert  6 , Nehal Draz  6 , Mariyam Mirfenderesky  5 , Victoria Jones  4 , Peter Hinstridge  7 , Ranjika Seneviratne  8 , Richard Myers  2 , Joanna Ellis  2 , Shahjahan Miah  2 , Christopher Is Meadows  9 , Julia Kenny  1 , Alejandra Alonso  1 , Jennifer Handforth  1 , Shona Perkins  10 , Mark Butler  11 , Frances Blackburn  12 , Sam Douthwaite  10 , Deenan Pillay  1   7   13 , Meera Chand  2   10 , Maria Zambon  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Probable Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Alicia Demirjian et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Background: To date, although neonatal infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronovirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described, none of these have been proven to be the result of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: We describe the probable vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a neonate born to a mother with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Results: Following cesarean section, the neonate was kept in strict isolation. Molecular tests for SARS-CoV-2 on respiratory samples, blood, and meconium were initially negative, but positive on a nasopharyngeal aspirate on the third day of life. On day 5, the neonate developed fever and coryza, which spontaneously resolved. Viral genomic analysis from the mother and neonate showed identical sequences except for 1 nucleotide.

Conclusion: This report has important implications for infection control and clinical management of pregnant women with COVID-19 and their newborns.

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References

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