# Association of maternal infection of SARS-CoV-2 and neonatal susceptibility: A retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

This study found that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination during pregnancy may reduce the risk of neonatal infection.

## Contribution

The study identifies maternal infection and vaccination as protective factors against neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

## Key findings

- Maternal vaccination reduced neonatal infection risk by 37%.
- Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection reduced neonatal infection risk by 55%.
- Higher BMI and older age at first pregnancy increased neonatal infection risk.

## Abstract

This study aims to assess the risk of neonatal susceptibility to COVID-19 among pregnant women.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 1089 pregnant women ≥28 weeks of gestational age, who were categorized into infected and uninfected groups. Data for all participants were collected through a comprehensive review of electronic medical records and follow-up phone calls. The primary outcome was neonatal infection with SARS-CoV-2, while secondary outcomes included delivery patterns and gestational age at delivery.

Maternal vaccination (OR 95%CI:0.63[0.46, 0.85]) and maternal infection with SARS-CoV-2 (OR 95%CI: 0.45[0.34, 0.60]) were found to be associated with a decreased risk of neonatal infection. The infected group exhibited a lower neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection rate (25.93%) compared to the uninfected group (45.15%). Logistic regression analysis identified several risk factors associated with an increased risk of neonatal infection, including pregnancy BMI (OR 95%CI: 1.04[1.01, 1.08]), age at first pregnancy (OR 95%CI: 1.05[1.01, 1.10]), age at menarche (OR 95%CI: 1.13[1.02, 1.26]), and parturition (Yes vs. No) (OR 95%CI:1.4 [1.04,1.88]).

Maternal vaccination and perinatal infection with SARS-CoV-2 play a protective role in preventing neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection.