Serological Outcome in the First Months of Life of Children Born to Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy

TL;DR

This study shows that about half of newborns whose mothers had SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy had antibodies, which may protect them in early life.

Contribution

The study identifies maternal infection severity as a key factor in antibody transmission to newborns.

Findings

53.7% of children under three months had positive SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Severe maternal disease increased the odds of antibody transmission to newborns.

No severe SARS-CoV-2 infections were observed in children during follow-up.

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study is to analyze the transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, their persistence in newborns, the factors that may influence this transmission, and the protection these antibodies confer over time. Methods: This prospective cohort was conducted in a tertiary pediatric hospital in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region, Spain. It included neonates born to mothers who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy or delivery between August 2020 and January 2022. We followed the recruited children for at least six months, and blood tests were performed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Results: A total of 101 children were recruited. Among the serologies performed on children under three months of age, 44/82 were positive (53.7%). Newborns whose mothers presented more severe disease exhibited higher seropositivity odds (coefficient 9.747; p = 0.002). There were increased preterm deliveries when maternal infection occurred closer to the time of delivery. No severe SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected in children during the follow-up. Conclusions: Slightly more than half of the SARS-CoV-2 serologies performed in the first three months were positive. This appears to confer protection during early childhood. The severity of maternal infection is the most significant factor influencing the transmission of antibodies in children born to unvaccinated mothers.

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