The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the condition of newborns depending on the mother’s COVID status: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background. A novel coronavirus infection in newborns seems to be an unexplored problem, which encourages pediatric specialists to conduct in-depth research in this direction. The aim  of the study is the  impact of COVID status of mothers on the  condition of newborns. Material and  methods. A retrospective analysis of 554 newborn  histories (form 097/y) born from January 2021 to May 2022 was carried out in the Maternity Hospital in Krasnodar: 226 children from SARS-CoV-2 positive  women  at the time of delivery (group 1), 165 children  from women  who had SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy (group 2) and  165 children  from women  who did not have  SARS-CoV-2 in history during pregnancy (control group). Results. 42% of newborns from group 1 had  positive results of the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) study,  of which 36% had pneumonia. The frequency of preterm birth was: 29% in the group 1, 21% in the group 2, 13% in the control group. The gestational age 32–34 weeks was more  common in group 1. Children from the group 1 had a more  severe condition when  assessed on the  APGAR scale both  at the  first and  fifth minutes. Congenital pneumonia was more common among  patients of the groups 1 and 2 relative to the control, children from the group 1 more often  needed respiratory support  compared with  the  group 2 and  control  group. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 virus  was  verified  in  42%  of children  born to mothers with a positive PCR at the  time of birth, while every third disease was accompanied by the  development of pneumonia. Coronavirus infection, regardless of the mother’s COVID status, is a risk factor for preterm birth, congenital pneumonia, and asphyxia. COVID-positive maternal  and neonatal status is associated with an increased need for respiratory support.