Perinatal Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Its Clinical Attributes: A Single-Center Study From Western Uttar Pradesh.

Background Globally, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS­CoV­2) has infected millions of people to date. The morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 are higher in diabetics than those with chronic kidney disease and in the elderly. In pregnant women, it causes an increased risk for preeclampsia/eclampsia, infections, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, maternal mortality, and preterm birth. In neonates, SARS­CoV­2 infection has been found to cause stillbirths, growth retardation, premature delivery, increased neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and need for oxygen support. The neonate can get infected by vertical or horizontal transmission. As most studies have focussed on transmission at the time of birth only, in this study, we explored both vertical and horizontal transmission along with the clinical attributes of those born to mothers with SARS­CoV­2 infection. Methodology A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care hospital over 12 months from October 2020 to October 2021. All reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant females admitted to the facility during the study duration were included. The enrolled mothers were followed till delivery. The mothers and neonates were managed per standard guidelines. Delivery details and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Coronavirus disease 2019 sampling in newborn babies was done at birth (within 24 hours) using a nasopharyngeal swab sample for RTPCR along with cord blood for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M (IgM). Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, serum electrolytes, random blood sugar, and chest X-ray were obtained for all babies at birth and thereafter according to requirement. In those roomed in with their mother, RT-PCR was repeated at the time of discharge or if they became symptomatic. Results A total of 44 mother-neonate dyads were included in the study. Cord blood IgM for SARS­CoV­2 was negative for all neonates, while throat swab RT-PCR was positive for two (4.5%) neonates immediately after birth. Overall, 13.6% of the neonates were premature, 27.2% of the neonates had low birth weight (<2,500 g), and 6.8% had very low birth weight (<1,500 g). Among those admitted to the NICU, 18.2% had respiratory distress; 4.5% had fever, lethargy, and poor feeding; and hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy was observed in 11.3% of the neonates. Moreover, 4.5% of the neonates had hypocalcemia on initial investigations. Mortality was seen in 2.2% (1/44) of the neonates. Rooming-in and breastfeeding were seen in 68.2% of the neonates. The horizontal transmission was seen in one (3.3%) roomed-in neonate. Conclusions Perinatal transmission of SARS­CoV­2 infection does occur but its rate is not significant. Furthermore, with proper infection prevention and control measures, the risk of perinatal transmission can be decreased. Breastfeeding and rooming-in do not increase infection transmission if the mother takes all precautions.

Once Forgotten Now Re-emerging: Scrub Typhus Infection in Pediatric Patients From North West India.

Background Scrub typhus is an important cause of acute febrile illness in children. It is one of the re-emerging infections in the Asia Pacific region. It is caused by the gram-negative bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and is spread by the bite of trombiculid mites. The initial symptomatology is nonspecific with fever, headache, vomiting, etc. The presence of eschar is said to be pathognomic. It is a systemic illness, and vasculitis is the basic pathogenic mechanism. Materials and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in two medical colleges and associated hospitals of western Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Rajasthan, India. Case files of 21 confirmed cases of scrub typhus admitted from April 2021 to October 2022 were reviewed. Scrub typhus was suspected in children with acute undifferentiated fever, and suggestive signs and symptoms were confirmed serologically with IgM enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Demographic and clinical details were noted. Results During the study period, a total of 335 cases of acute undifferentiated fever were seen, and 6.2% of them were diagnosed as having scrub typhus infection on detailed investigation. The most common symptom was fever in 100% of them, vomiting in 57.1%, abdomen pain in 42.8%, and diarrhea in 19%. Maculopapular, erythematous rash was present in 19% of cases. None of the patients had eschar. Microvascular leakage was the main complication in 28.5%. Unusual complications seen were empyema and valvulitis in 4.7% of patients. Conclusion Scrub typhus is also seen in urban setups and in dry arid areas like Rajasthan and North West UP. So, relevant investigations should be a part of the evaluation in pediatric patients with acute undifferentiated fever. Eschar can be absent, and empyema and valvulitis are some uncommon complications. A high degree of suspicion and early diagnosis are essential as an undiagnosed infection is rapidly fatal.

Perinatal outcome and possible vertical transmission of coronavirus disease 2019: experience from North India.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 on mother and fetus remain unknown due to a lack of robust evidence from prospective studies. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on neonatal outcomes and the scope of vertical transmission. METHODS: This ambispective observational study enrolled pregnant women with COVID-19 in North India from April 1 to August 31, 2020 to evaluate neonatal outcomes and the risk of vertical transmission. RESULTS: A total of 44 neonates born to 41 COVID-19-positive mothers were evaluated. Among them, 28 patients (68.3%) (2 sets of twins) were delivered within 7 days of testing positive for COVID-19, 23 patients (56%) (2 sets of twins) were delivered by cesarean section; 13 newborns (29.5%) had low birth weight; 7 (15.9%) were preterm; and 6 (13.6%) required neonatal intensive care unit admission, reflecting an increased incidence of cesarean delivery and low birth weight but zero neonatal mortality. Samples of cord blood, placental membrane, vaginal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid (in case of cesarean section), and breast milk for COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tested negative in 22 prospective delivery cases. Nasopharyngeal swabs of 2 newborns tested positive for COVID-19: one at 24 hours and the other on day 4 of life. In the former case, biological samples were not collected as the mother was asymptomatic and her COVID-19 report was available postdelivery; hence, the source of infection remained inconclusive. In the latter case, all samples tested negative, ruling out the possibility of vertical transmission. All neonates remained asymptomatic on follow-up. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 does not have direct adverse effects on the fetus per se. The possibility of vertical transmission is almost negligible, although results from larger trials are required to confirm our findings.