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. 2021 Oct 1;34(10):650-656.
doi: 10.20344/amp.16180.

Characteristics of Newborns from Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Portuguese Hospital

Marta Ferreira  1 , Catarina Garcia  1 , Rosalina Barroso  1
Affiliations
Free article

Characteristics of Newborns from Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Portuguese Hospital

Marta Ferreira et al. Acta Med Port. .
Free article

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Guidance for pregnant women has been particularly problematic since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their newborns.

Material and methods: Case review of clinical records of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted for delivery and their newborns from April to December 2020 at a hospital in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

Results: From 1755 births, 81 (4.6%) were from SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Most (83.9%) were term newborns. Almost 16% were preterm, while there was an overall prematurity rate of 9.9%. Most women (88.6%) were asymptomatic. Rooming-in occurred in 80.8% cases and 19.2% newborns were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From the total, 56.7% newborns were breastfed from birth and 43% had mixed feeding. None of the newborns had symptoms related to COVID-19 infection, and all had negative rt-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 at birth and at 48 hours of life. The majority (85.2%) was discharged home with their mothers.

Discussion: Pregnant women with COVID-19 have shown immune characteristics resembling healthy pregnancies, and it is not yet clear if SARS-CoV-2 can be vertically transmitted. Recent updates on neonatal guidance now recommend rooming-in and support the relative safety of breastfeeding.

Conclusion: This study supports other published articles regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women, including the absence of short-term adverse outcomes with rooming-in and breastfeeding.

Introdução: Desde o início da pandemia COVID-19, tem sido particularmente dificil obter orientações relativas a mulheres grávidas. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever as características e resultados clínicos das grávidas com SARS-CoV-2 e dos seus recém--nascidos. Material e Métodos: Revisão de processos clínicos de grávidas com infecção por SARS-CoV-2 admitidas para o parto, e dos seus recém-nascidos, no período de abril a dezembro de 2020 num hospital da área metropolitana de Lisboa. Resultados: De um total de 1755 nascimentos, 81 (4,6%) foram de mães positivas para SARS-CoV-2. A maioria eram recém-nascidos de termo; 16% eram prematuros, sendo a taxa geral de prematuridade 9,9%. A maioria das grávidas (88,6%) foi assintomática. O alojamento conjunto ocorreu em 80,8% dos casos e 19,2% dos recém-nascidos foram admitidos na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatais. A maioria dos recém-nascidos (56,7%) fez leite materno desde o nascimento e 43% fez aleitamento misto. Nenhum recém--nascido apresentou sintomas relacionados com a infeção por COVID-19 e todos foram negativos por rt-PCR para SARS-CoV-2 ao nascimento e às 48 horas. Do total, 85,2% dos recém-nascidos tiveram alta para o domicílio com a mãe. Discussão: As grávidas com COVID-19 apresentam características imunológicas semelhantes a grávidas saudáveis e ainda não é clara a transmissão vertical do SARS-CoV-2. Atualizações recentes sobre as orientações neonatais recomendam o alojamento conjunto e apoiam a segurança da amamentação. Conclusão: Este estudo corrobora resultados maternos e neonatais anteriores incluindo a ausência de resultados adversos a curto prazo com alojamento conjunto e amamentação.

Keywords: Breast Feeding; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Rooming-in Care; SARS-CoV-2.

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