Perinatal COVID-19 maternal and neonatal outcomes at two academic birth hospitals

J Perinatol. 2022 Oct;42(10):1338-1345. doi: 10.1038/s41372-022-01446-x. Epub 2022 Jul 1.

Abstract

Objective: Describe 1-month outcomes among newborns of persons with perinatal COVID-19.

Study design: Prospective observational study of pregnant persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between 14 days before and 3 days after delivery and their newborns, from 3/2020 to 3/2021 at two urban high-risk academic hospitals. Phone interviews were conducted to determine 1-month newborn outcomes.

Results: Among 9748 pregnant persons, 209 (2.1%) tested positive for perinatal SARS-CoV-2. Symptomatically infected persons were more likely to have a preterm delivery due to worsening maternal condition and their newborns were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with asymptomatic persons. Six of 191 (3.1%) infants tested were positive for SARS-CoV-2; none had attributable illness before discharge. Of 169 eligible families, 132 (78.1%) participated in post-discharge interviews; none reported their newborn tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by 1 month of age.

Conclusion: Symptomatic perinatal COVID-19 had a substantial effect on maternal health but no apparent short-term effect on newborns.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aftercare
  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Patient Discharge
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
  • Premature Birth* / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2