Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, is rapidly spreading across the world. As the number of infections increases, those of infected pregnant women and children will rise as well. Controversy exists whether COVID-19 can be transmitted in utero and lead to disease in the newborn. As this chance cannot be ruled out, strict instructions for the management of mothers and newborn infants are mandatory. This perspective aims to be a practical support tool for the planning of delivery and neonatal resuscitation of infants born by mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
References
1.
Zhu
N
, Zhang
D
, Wang
W
, Li
X
, Yang
B
, Song
J
, et al.; China Novel Coronavirus Investigating and Research Team
. A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019
. N Engl J Med
. 2020
Feb
;382
(8
):727
–33
.
[PubMed]
0028-47932.
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-1
9 - 11 March 2020
. Available at: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020. Accessed 24 March 20203.
World Health Organization
. Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Situation report-1, 21 January 2020
. Available at: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200121-sitrep-1-2019-ncov.pdf?sfvrsn=20a99c10_4. Accessed 24 March 2020.4.
World Health Organization
. Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) and the virus that causes it. Technical guidance. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it. Accessed 24 March 2020.5.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings. 2020
; Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html. Accessed 24 March 2020.6.
Li
Q
, Guan
X
, Wu
P
, Wang
X
, Zhou
L
, Tong
Y
, et al. Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jan 29]
. N Engl J Med
. 2020
Mar
;382
(13
):1199
–207
.
[PubMed]
0028-47937.
Zhang
W
, Du
RH
, Li
B
, et al. Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020
;9(1):386–389. Published 2020 Feb 17. doi:8.
Gu
J
, Han
B
, Wang
J.
COVID-19: Gastrointestinal manifestations and potential fecal-oral transmission [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 3]. Gastroenterology. 2020
;S0016-5085(20)30281-X. doi:9.
Cao
Q
, Chen
YC
, Chen
CL
, Chiu
CH
. SARS-CoV-2 infection in children: transmission dynamics and clinical characteristics
. J Formos Med Assoc
. 2020
Mar
;119
(3
):670
–3
.
[PubMed]
0929-664610.
Wu
Z
, McGoogan
JM
. Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in China: Summary of a Report of 72 314 Cases From the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Feb 24]
. JAMA
. 2020
Feb
;323
(13
):1239
.
[PubMed]
0098-748411.
Lu
X
, Zhang
L
, Du
H
, Zhang
J
, Li
YY
, Qu
J
, et al.; Chinese Pediatric Novel Coronavirus Study Team
. SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 18]
. N Engl J Med
. 2020
Mar
;NEJMc2005073
.
[PubMed]
0028-479312.
Han
Y
, Yang
H
. The transmission and diagnosis of 2019 novel coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19): A Chinese perspective
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 6]
. J Med Virol
. 2020
Mar
;92
(6
):639
–44
.
[PubMed]
0146-661513.
Wong
SF
, Chow
KM
, Leung
TN
, Ng
WF
, Ng
TK
, Shek
CC
, et al. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of women with severe acute respiratory syndrome
. Am J Obstet Gynecol
. 2004
Jul
;191
(1
):292
–7
.
[PubMed]
0002-937814.
Shek
CC
, Ng
PC
, Fung
GP
, Cheng
FW
, Chan
PK
, Peiris
MJ
, et al. Infants born to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome
. Pediatrics
. 2003
Oct
;112
(4
):e254
.
[PubMed]
0031-400515.
Mullins
E
, Evans
D
, Viner
RM
, O’Brien
P
, Morris
E
. Coronavirus in pregnancy and delivery: rapid review
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 17]
. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
. 2020
Mar
;uog.22014
.
[PubMed]
0960-769216.
Schwartz
DA
. An Analysis of 38 Pregnant Women with COVID-19, Their Newborn Infants, and Maternal-Fetal Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Maternal Coronavirus Infections and Pregnancy Outcomes
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 17]
. Arch Pathol Lab Med
. 2020
Mar
;arpa.2020-0901-SA
.
[PubMed]
0003-998517.
Schwartz
DA
, Graham
AL
. Potential Maternal and Infant Outcomes from (Wuhan) Coronavirus 2019-nCoV Infecting Pregnant Women: Lessons from SARS, MERS, and Other Human Coronavirus Infections. Viruses. 2020
;12(2):194. Published 2020 Feb 10. doi:18.
Chen
H
, Guo
J
, Wang
C
, Luo
F
, Yu
X
, Zhang
W
, et al. Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a retrospective review of medical records
. Lancet
. 2020
Mar
;395
(10226
):809
–15
.
[PubMed]
0140-673619.
Zhu
H
, Wang
L
, Fang
C
, Peng
S
, Zhang
L
, Chang
G
, et al. Clinical analysis of 10 neonates born to mothers with 2019-nCoV pneumonia
. Transl Pediatr
. 2020
Feb
;9
(1
):51
–60
.
[PubMed]
2224-433620.
Chen
S
, Huang
B
, Luo
DJ
, Li
X
, Yang
F
, Zhao
Y
, et al. [Pregnant women with new coronavirus infection: a clinical characteristics and placental pathological analysis of three cases]
. Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi
. 2020
Mar
;49
(0
):E005
.
[PubMed]
0529-580721.
Zeng
L
, Xia
S
, Yuan
W
, Yan
K
, Xiao
F
, Shao
J
, et al. Neonatal Early-Onset Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in 33 Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
. JAMA Pediatr
. 2020
Mar
;
[PubMed]
2168-620322.
Dong
L
, Tian
J
, He
S
, Zhu
C
, Wang
J
, Liu
C
, et al. Possible Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 From an Infected Mother to Her Newborn
. JAMA
. 2020
Mar
;
[PubMed]
0098-748423.
Wang
S
, Guo
L
, Chen
L
, et al. A case report of neonatal COVID-19 infection in China [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 12]. Clin Infect Dis. 2020
;ciaa225. doi:24.
Neonati ricoverati con infezione sospetta o accertata da SARS-CoV-2. SINInforma
. Magazine della Società Italiana di Neonatologia.
2020
;78
:11
–4
.25.
Fang
F
, Luo
XP
. [Facing the pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus infections: the pediatric perspectives]
. Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi
. 2020
Feb
;58
(0
):E001
.
[PubMed]
0578-131026.
Wyllie
J
, Bruinenberg
J
, Roehr
CC
, Rüdiger
M
, Trevisanuto
D
, Urlesberger
B
. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015: Section 7. Resuscitation and support of transition of babies at birth
. Resuscitation
. 2015
Oct
;95
:249
–63
.
[PubMed]
0300-957227.
Rasmussen
SA
, Smulian
JC
, Lednicky
JA
, Wen
TS
, Jamieson
DJ
. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy: what obstetricians need to know
. Am J Obstet Gynecol
. 2020
Feb
;S0002-9378(20)30197-6
.
[PubMed]
0002-937828.
Wang
J
, Qi
H
, Bao
L
, Li
F
, Shi
Y
; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders and Pediatric Committee of Medical Association of Chinese People’s Liberation Army
. A contingency plan for the management of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in neonatal intensive care units
. Lancet Child Adolesc Health
. 2020
Apr
;4
(4
):258
–9
.
[PubMed]
2352-465029.
Wang
L
, Shi
Y
, Xiao
T
, et al. Chinese expert consensus on the perinatal and neonatal management for the prevention and control of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection
(First edition). Ann Transl Med. 2020
;8(3):47. doi:30.
Pediatric Committee
. Medical Association of Chinese People′s Liberation Army; Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
. [Emergency response plan for the neonatal intensive care unit during epidemic of 2019 novel coronavirus.]
. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi
. 2020
;22
(2
):91
–5
.
[PubMed]
1008-883031.
Collège National des Gynécologues et ObstétriciensFrançais (CNGOF)
. Prise en charge aux urgencies maternite d’une patiente enceinte suspectee ou infectee par le coronavirus (COVID-19)-V1. 15 March 2020
.32.
Lu
Q
, Shi
Y
. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and neonate: what neonatologist need to know
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 1]
. J Med Virol
. 2020
Mar
;92
(6
):564
–7
.
[PubMed]
0146-661533.
World Health Organisation
. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory unfections (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected. Interim Guidance. Geneva. 13 March 2020
.34.
British Association of Perinatal Medicine resource page on COVID-19
(https://www.bapm.org/pages/182-perinatal-covid-19-resources) and the American35.
American Academy of Pediatrics
. resource page on COVID-19. (https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/36.
UNICEF
. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): What parents should know. 2020
. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know. Accessed 24 March 2020.37.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
. Pregnancy & Breastfeeding.
Information about Coronavirus Disease 2019. 2020
. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/pregnancy-guidance-breastfeeding.html.Accessed 24 March 2020.38.
Ng
PC
, So
KW
, Leung
TF
, Cheng
FW
, Lyon
DJ
, Wong
W
, et al. Infection control for SARS in a tertiary neonatal centre
. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
. 2003
Sep
;88
(5
):F405
–9
.
[PubMed]
1359-299839.
Leung
TF
, Ng
PC
, Cheng
FW
, Lyon
DJ
, So
KW
, Hon
EK
, et al. Infection control for SARS in a tertiary paediatric centre in Hong Kong
. J Hosp Infect
. 2004
Mar
;56
(3
):215
–22
.
[PubMed]
0195-670140.
Chandrasekharan
P
, Vento
M
, Trevisanuto
D
, Partridge
E
. Underwood M, Wiedeman J, Katheria A, Lakshminrusimha S. neonatal resuscitation and post-resuscitation care of infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 April 3]
. Am J Perinatol
. 2020
.0735-163141.
Kogutt
BK
, Sheffield
JS
, Whyne
D
, Maragakis
LL
, Andonian
J
, Flinn
J
, et al. Simulation of a Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery and Neonatal Resuscitation in a Biocontainment Unit
. Health Secur
. 2019
Jan/Feb
;17
(1
):18
–26
.
[PubMed]
2326-509442.
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
. https://www.bfmed.org/abm-statement-coronavirus43.
World Health Organization
. Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Interim guidance. 27 February 2020
.44.
Feng
S
, Shen
C
, Xia
N
, Song
W
, Fan
M
, Cowling
BJ
. Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic
. Lancet Respir Med
. 2020
Mar
;S2213-2600(20)30134-X
.
[PubMed]
2213-260045.
Brewster
DJ
, Chrimes
NC
, Do
TB
, et al. Consensus statement: Safe Airway Society principles of airway management and tracheal intubation specific to the COVID-19 adult patient group. Med J Aust 2020
; https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/consensus-statement-safe-airway-society-principles-airway-management-and-tracheal [Preprint, 1 April 2020]).46.
College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection in Pregnancy. Information for healthcare professionals. Version 2: Published Friday 13 March 2020
. https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/coronavirus-covid-19-infection-in-pregnancy-v2-20-03-13.pdf47.
Poon
LC
, Yang
H
, Lee
JC
, Copel
JA
, Leung
TY
, Zhang
Y
, et al. ISUOG Interim Guidance on 2019 novel coronavirus infection during pregnancy and puerperium: information for healthcare professionals
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 11]
. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
. 2020
Mar
;uog.22013
.
[PubMed]
0960-769248.
Bapistella
S
, Hamprecht
K
, Thomas
W
, Speer
CP
, Dietz
K
, Maschmann
J
, et al. Short-term Pasteurization of Breast Milk to Prevent Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Transmission in Very Preterm Infants
. Clin Infect Dis
. 2019
Jul
;69
(3
):438
–44
.
[PubMed]
1058-483849.
Davanzo
R
, Moro
G
, Sandri
F
, Agosti
M
, Moretti
C
, Mosca
F
. Breastfeeding and Coronavirus Disease-2019. Ad interim indications of the Italian Society of Neonatology endorsed by the Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies
. [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 3]
. Matern Child Nutr
. 2020
Apr
;•••
:e13010
.
[PubMed]
1740-869550.
Ministero della Salute
. COVID-19: indicazioni per gravida-partoriente, puerpera, neonato e allattamento. 0011257-31/03/2020
-DGPRE-DGPRE-P. http://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/renderNormsanPdf?anno=2020&codLeg=73787&parte=1%20&serie=null© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel
2020
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.