Characterization of neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection: Review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Characterization of neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection has been partially carried out. There has been no systematic review providing a holistic neonatal presentation including possible vertical transmission. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science up to June, 6 2020. Studies on neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. A binary random effect model was used for prevalence and 95% confidence interval. 32 studies involving 261 neonates were included in meta-analysis. Most neonates born to infected mothers did not show any clinical abnormalities (80.4%). Clinical features were dyspnea in 11 (42.3%) and fever in 9 newborns (19.1%). Of 261 neonates, 120 neonates were tested for infection, of whom 12 (10.0%) tested positive. Swabs from placenta, cord blood and vaginal secretion were negative. Neonates are mostly non affected by the mother's SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk of vertical transmission is low.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; infant; neonate; newborn.

Figure 1

Overview of rRT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from different samples. Fig. 2 summarizes the performed SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR tests in different samples. X axis represents the different sample swabs, Y axis represents ratio (%) of positive or negative tested neonates compared to all neonates with performed tests. P-values were determined by Mann-Whitney-U-test. + = positive test result by rRT-PCR; - = negative test result by rRT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2 = Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2.

Figure 2

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates.