The Vertical Transmission in the Covid-19 Pandemic. Are Neonates at Risk? A Case Report in Iran

Although there was no evidence of vertical transmission at the beginning of the pandemic, this hypothesis has been strengthened over time and there is evidence to support the hypothesis. In the present article, we present a case of Covid- 19 in a newborn from a mother with a recent Covid -19 infection.

The female neonate was born from Normal Vaginal Delivery (N.V.D) in a primiparous 30-year-old woman. Her mother was presented at 36 weeks and complained of fever and cough symptoms. The mother admitted in Taleghani hospital with labor pain without clinical signs of Covid- 19 when she had 39 weeks of G.A. All stages of labor progressed normally based on Friedman Curve and a female neonate with meconium-stained was born. The neonate apgar score dropped gradually  and central cyanosis and tachycardia appeared about 20 minutes after birth. Immediately, laboratory tests, cardiac counseling, and transformation to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) NICU were done. Both moderate to severe Tricuspide Regurgitation (T.R) and positive Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Covid- 19 were reported. A set of antibiotic, antiviral, and blood product replacement treatments was prescribed based on clinical signs and laboratory results. On the 28 th day of the birth, the neonate was discharged in good general condition, while his RT-PCR Covid- 19 result was negative.

The vertical transmission of Covid -19 in neonates is possible. Therefore, the health care providers should be considering the important points in caring for these neonates.