AUTHOR=Jan Sophia , Katz Robert , Fagan David , Santos Telmo , Beachy Joanna C. , Steinway Caren , Chen Jack , Tsouristakis Alina , Mancenido Briana , Leung Christy , Moore Emily , Wilson Estelle , Lin Lorna , Harte Michael , Katzow Michelle , Rubin Lorry G. 

TITLE=Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers at 2 weeks of life

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1381104

DOI=10.3389/fped.2024.1381104

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Limited evidence exists on management recommendations for neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. This study looked at transmission risk of neonates presenting for primary care in a large regional health system within New York during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This was a prospective, observational study of newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers presenting at any of the 19 Northwell Health-Cohen Children's Medical Center primary care practices who underwent another oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by day of life (DOL) 14.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Among 293 newborns born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers who were negative at birth, 222 were retested at DOL 14, corresponding to times with different predominant strains. Of these, seven tested positive but had no symptoms.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The overall low transmission rates and absence of symptomatic infection support the safety of direct breastfeeding after hospital discharge with appropriate hand and breast hygiene.</p></sec>