Maryam Milani Fard; Atefeh Norouzi; Sara Shirzad; Elahe Horri; Farzad Esfandiary; Amir Mohammad Milani Fard; Behnam Mahmoodiyeh
Abstract
Many questions pertaining to the neonates born to the mothers affected by Covid19 have arisen, particularly with regard to the likelihood of vertical transmission of the virus, the ...
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Many questions pertaining to the neonates born to the mothers affected by Covid19 have arisen, particularly with regard to the likelihood of vertical transmission of the virus, the association between the intensity of disease in mothers and severity of neonatal morbidities. The present systematic review and meta-analysis attempted to deliver the responses to such uncertainties. For statistical analysis, the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software was employed. Overall, 16 studies including 1192 mothers with the average age of 31 years suffering definitive diagnosis of Covid-19 and delivered successfully were assessed with respect to their clinical manifestations as well as pregnancy and neonatal outcome. The median of birth weight was 3080 gr. The pooled cesarean rate was 48.3%. Respecting neonatal outcome, neonatal respiratory distress was overall revealed in 13.1% (95%CI: 10.6% to 16.0%) and in total, 20.1% (95%CI: 17.6% to 20.3%) required NICU admission. Overall, 3.8% (95%CI: 2.6% to 5.7%) of the neonates tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, while no neonatal death was reported in all the studies. The rate of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from mother to neonate is very low and overall outcome reported in these infants is quite favorable. Thus, encouraging immediate bonding, rooming-in and breastfeeding should be considered for all neonates born to infected mothers.