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A systematic evaluation of the mother-to-child transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy
  • +14
  • Xuechen Yu,
  • Huijun Chen,
  • Fan Luo,
  • Juanjuan Guo,
  • Yuan Qiao,
  • Wei Zhang,
  • Jiafu Li,
  • Dongchi Zhao,
  • Dan Xu,
  • Qing Gong,
  • Lingyun Yang,
  • Pu Yang,
  • Yuming Cao,
  • Xue Wen,
  • Wei Hou,
  • Huixia Yang,
  • Yuanzhen Zhang
Xuechen Yu
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital

Corresponding Author:yuxz6406@126.com

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Huijun Chen
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Fan Luo
Wuhan University
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Juanjuan Guo
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Yuan Qiao
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Wei Zhang
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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Jiafu Li
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Dongchi Zhao
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Dan Xu
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Qing Gong
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Lingyun Yang
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Pu Yang
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Yuming Cao
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Wei Hou
Wuhan University
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Huixia Yang
Peking University 1st hospital
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Yuanzhen Zhang
Wuhan University Zhongnan Hospital
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in perinatal period, and systematically assess the mother-to-child transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2. Design A case retrospective study. Setting and Population We retrospectively analyzed the data of 23 pregnant patients in late pregnancy. Methods Maternal and neonatal throat swabs, vaginal secretions, placenta tissues, and breast milk, were collected for the nucleic acid test of the virus. Pregnancy outcomes and neonatal results were also analyzed. Main Outcome Measures The result of viral nucleic acid test and pregnancy outcomes. Results Overall, 10 patients (43.5%) had no symptoms and were found by routine chest CT. Complications appeared after COVID-19 onset included PROM (17.4%) and fetal distress (4.3%). Typical signs of viral pneumonia were recorded in chest CT of all patients. No patients developed severe pneumonia or died of COVID-19. All of 25 neonates were born alive. No severe asphyxia or neonatal death was observed. Although three neonates were tested transiently suspected positive for SARS-CoV-2 after being transferred to neonatology department, no newborns developed COVID-19. Only a rectal swab sample from one pregnant patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while all the other clinical specimens including first sample of newborn throat swabs were negative. Pathological examination found no obvious chorioamnionitis or clear virus inclusion body in placenta, and ACE2 (angiotension-converting enzyme 2) was expressed at a moderate level. Conclusions Asymptomatic patients were present in pregnant women. There is no confirmatory evidence for mother-to-child transmission in COVID-19 patients with late pregnancy.