American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Jul 2020
Evidence for and against vertical transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
COVID-19 can severely affect pregnant women Furthermore, issues regarding vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are emerging. In patients and neonates who are showing symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019, real-time polymerase chain reaction of nasal and throat swabs, sputum, and feces is performed to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In addition, real-time polymerase chain reaction of vaginal swabs, amniotic fluid, placenta, cord blood, neonatal blood, or breast milk for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 did not show substantial results. ⋯ Neonates with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection are usually asymptomatic. In 4 cases, a diagnostic test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was performed within 48 hours of life. Furthermore, detection rates of real-time polymerase chain reaction and the interpretation of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies levels in cord and neonatal blood were discussed in relation with the immaturity of the fetal and neonatal immune system.