Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins in pregnant women and neonatal cord blood from a highly impacted region

Placenta. 2021 Nov:115:146-150. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 6.

Abstract

There is inadequate screening for SARS-COV-2 during pregnancy. We aimed to determine the impact of maternal and neonatal cord blood SARS-COV-2 antibodies and placental transfer ratios in a region with a low screening plan. We performed a blind study in one of the SARS-CoV-2 epicenters in South America. 32% of pregnant women were serological positive. Importantly, there is an efficient passive immunization of the fetus to SARS-CoV-2. We report high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, which is higher than officially reported. Therefore the need of active immunization to enhance maternal protection and fetal passive immunization.

Keywords: IgG; IgM; Placenta; Pregnancy; SARS-COV-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • Ecuador / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / immunology*
  • Fetal Blood / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive / statistics & numerical data
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M