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Case Reports
. 2022;15(4):845-849.
doi: 10.3233/NPM-221002.

Fatal COVID-19 in a neonate after probable late intrauterine transmission

T G Boyce  1 , E M Chacko  2 , M A Mascola  3 , A Joshi  4 , C G Verwoerd  4 , A A Winder  4 , S J Hale  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Fatal COVID-19 in a neonate after probable late intrauterine transmission

T G Boyce et al. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2022.

Abstract

We report the case of a 35-week gestation infant girl born by emergent cesarean section for fetal distress in a woman with recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the infant at 24 and 48 hours of life were negative. However, at 72 hours of life, the infant's respiratory status worsened, and a repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive. The infant developed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive respiratory failure, and died on the ninth day of life. Pathologic examination of the placenta revealed findings consistent with COVID-19 placentitis, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA staining was positive, suggesting intrauterine transmission of the infection.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; SARS-CoV-2; death; histology; newborn; placenta.

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