Abstract
Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious public health threat worldwide. In view of the limited data on the risk of perinatal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and transfer of maternal anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the present study was undertaken.
Methods: A prospective study including 57 pregnant women with a positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA test (SARS-CoV-2-RNA+) and 59 neonates born to them was conducted at Pune, India. 39 viral RNA negative (SARS-CoV-2-RNA-negative) pregnant women and their 39 neonates were included as controls. Neonatal nasal swab/cord blood samples were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by RT-PCR for investigation of perinatal transmission. Transfer of maternal antibodies was studied using ELISA and PRNT.
Results: 10/57 SARS-CoV-2-RNA+ mothers were symptomatic. The duration between COVID-19 diagnosis and delivery was ≤ 7 days for 82.4%. Perinatal transmission as evidenced by viral RNA in the neonatal nasal swab/cord blood (CB) was 3.6%. IgG-anti-SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 21.6%. Of the 39 neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-RNA-negative mothers, 20 (51%) and none, respectively, were positive for IgG-anti-SARS-CoV-2 and viral RNA. Preterm deliveries were higher in SARS-CoV-2-RNA+ (18.6%) than SARS-CoV-2 RNA-negative (0/39) mothers (p < 0.005). Respiratory distress at birth (< 4 h) was higher among neonates of SARS-CoV-2-RNA+ (20/59, 33.9%) than SARS-CoV-2-RNA-negative mothers (3/39, 7.7%; p < 0.001). ~ 75% IgG-positives exhibited neutralization potential with mean PRNT titers of 42.4 ± 24 (SARS-CoV-2-RNA+) and 72.3 ± 46.7 (SARS-CoV-2 RNA-negative); higher in the latter (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The rate of perinatal transmission was low. Transfer of maternal antibodies was lower among SARS-CoV-2-RNA+ mothers than SARS-CoV-2-RNA-negative mothers with subclinical infection during pregnancy. Presence of neutralizing antibodies in majority of IgG-positives suggests protection from SARS-CoV-2 in early life.
Keywords: COVID-19; India; Neutralizing antibodies; Perinatal transmission; Pregnant women; SARS-CoV-2.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Neutralizing antibodies, India, pregnant women, Perinatal transmission, 【초록키워드】 neutralizing antibody, SARS-CoV-2, Neutralizing antibodies, neutralization, COVID-19 pandemic, Prospective Study, India, risk, Transmission, nasal, RT-PCR, ELISA, pregnant women, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, Pregnancy, Neonate, Neonates, Viral, symptomatic, COVID-19 diagnosis, Birth, Perinatal, SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Viral RNA, Blood, PRNT, mother, SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection, Neonatal, life, during pregnancy, respiratory distress, subclinical infection, maternal antibody, maternal antibodies, preterm deliveries, blood sample, transfer, positive, transmission of SARS-CoV-2, public health threat, controls, conducted, exhibited, majority, evidenced, Presence, 【제목키워드】 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, asymptomatic infection, Perinatal, mother, transmission of SARS-CoV-2,