Evaluation of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mothers with Covid-19 to newborns and related maternal and fetal outcomes

Introduction: With the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 and its rapid and large-scale spread throughout the world, there is an increasing concern about its effects on pregnancy.The possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mothers with coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) to the fetus and its outcomes stands as a very controversial concept for prenatal medicine since there is little evidence available in this regard. Material and methods:The present study aimed at the possible, vertical transmission of coronavirus from 12 pregnant women with COVID-19 to their newborns in comparison to a group of healthy mothers.Results: The results of real-time PCR tests of amniotic fluid and nasopharyngeal secretions of the newborns born from the mothers with COVID-19 were negative.The only difference between the two groups was a significant increase in the frequencies of preterm delivery, cesarean section, and intrauterine growth restriction of the newborns in the case group and there were no particular mother-newborn outcomes.Based on our results and similar investigations, vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to newborns is not possible.Discussion: According to the shortage of contradictory data about the effects of COVID-19 on newborns, a higher level of caution should be considered in the examination and monitoring of possible infections in neonates born from mothers infected with COVID-19.