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. 2022 Jan;33 Suppl 27(Suppl 27):96-98.
doi: 10.1111/pai.13643.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and neonates: Evidence-based data after 18 months of the pandemic

Carlo Pietrasanta  1   2 , Giacomo Artieri  1   2 , Andrea Ronchi  1 , Beatrice Crippa  1 , Claudia Ballerini  1   2 , Riccardo Crimi  1   2 , Fabio Mosca  1   2 , Lorenza Pugni  1
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 infection and neonates: Evidence-based data after 18 months of the pandemic

Carlo Pietrasanta et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

After 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, data concerning SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and their neonates are progressively taking the place of complete uncertainty. Here, we summarize updated evidence regarding several critical aspects of perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 1) vertical transmission of the virus in utero, which is possible but seems rare according to current epidemiological data; 2) how COVID-19 during pregnancy can shape maternal and neonatal outcomes, either directly or indirectly; 3) how recommendations regarding the management of infected dyads have been progressively modified in light of new scientific evidence; and 4) how maternal infection or vaccination can induce the passive protection of fetuses and neonates against the infection, through the transfer of specific antibodies before and after birth.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antibodies; breastmilk; neonate; newborn; pregnancy; prematurity; vaccine; vertical transmission.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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