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  • Review Article
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Neonatal outcomes of maternal prenatal coronavirus infection

Pediatric Research volume 95, pages 445–455 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant changes in life and healthcare all over the world. Pregnant women and their newborns require extra attention due to the increased risk of adverse outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include intensive care unit (ICU) admission, pulmonary, cardiac, and renal impairment leading to mortality. Immaturity and variations of the neonatal immune system may be advantageous in responding to the virus. Neonates are at risk of vertical transmission and in-utero infection. Impaired intrauterine growth, prematurity, vertical transmission, and neonatal ICU admission are the most concerning issues. Data on maternal and neonatal outcomes should be interpreted cautiously due to study designs, patient characteristics, clinical variables, the effects of variants, and vaccination beyond the pandemic. Cesarean section, immediate separation of mother-infant dyads, isolation of neonates, and avoidance of breast milk were performed to reduce transmission risk at the beginning of the pandemic in the era of insufficient knowledge. Vertical transmission was found to be low with favorable short-term outcomes. Serious fetal and neonatal outcomes are not expected, according to growing evidence. Long-term effects may be associated with fetal programming. Knowledge and lessons from COVID-19 will be helpful for the next pandemic if it occurs.

Impact

  • Prenatal infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

  • Our review includes the effects of COVID-19 on the fetus and neonates, transmission routes, placental effects, fetal and neonatal outcomes, and long-term effects on neonates.

  • There is a growing body of data and evidence about the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge and lessons from the pandemic will be helpful for the next pandemic if it happens.

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Fig. 1: Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of maternal prenatal COVID-19.

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Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Health Sciences Türkiye; Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women’s Health Teaching and Research Hospital, 06010, Ankara, Türkiye

    Istemi Han Celik

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatology Clinic, University of Health Sciences Turkiye, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, 06800, Ankara, Türkiye

    Atakan Tanacan

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, 06800, Ankara, Türkiye

    Fuat Emre Canpolat

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I.H.C. contributed to conception and design, acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data; drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content, manuscript preparation. A.T. contributed to acquisition and interpretation of data and assisted in the manuscript preparation. F.E.C. contributed to conception and design, acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data; drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content and assisted in the manuscript preparation. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Celik, I.H., Tanacan, A. & Canpolat, F.E. Neonatal outcomes of maternal prenatal coronavirus infection. Pediatr Res 95, 445–455 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02950-2

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