AUTHOR=Hascoët Jean-Michel , Jellimann Jean-Marc , Hartard Cedric , Wittwer Apolline , Jeulin Hélène , Franck Patricia , Morel Olivier 

TITLE=Case Series of COVID-19 Asymptomatic Newborns With Possible Intrapartum Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.568979

DOI=10.3389/fped.2020.568979

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Despite the pandemic, data are limited regarding COVID-19 infection in pregnant women and newborns. This report aimed to bring new information about presentation that could modify precautionary measures for infants born of mothers with a remote history of COVID-19.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> We report two infants with possible maternofetal transmission, and four mothers without immunologic reactions. Data were collected from the patient files.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> One mother exhibited infection signs 10 days before uncomplicated delivery, with negative RT-PCR and no antibody detection thereafter. Another mother exhibited infection 6 weeks pre-delivery, confirmed by nasopharyngeal swab testing with positive RT-PCR, and positive antibody detection (IgM and IgG). Both newborns were asymptomatic but tested positive for nasopharyngeal and stool RT-PCR at 1 and 3 days of age for the first one and at 1 day of age for stool analysis for the second one. Two additional mothers exhibited infection confirmed by positive RT-PCR testing at 28- and 31-days pre-delivery but did not present detectable antibody reaction at the time of delivery.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> These observations raise concerns regarding contamination risk by asymptomatic newborns and the efficacy of immunologic reactions in pregnant mothers, questioning the reliability of antibody testing during pregnancy.</p>