Neonatal late-onset infection with SARS CoV-2

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic primarily affects the respiratory system.
• Newborns may exhibit atypical COVID-19 symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
• Non-respiratory manifestations in infants can obscure a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Observation:

• Three newborns presented with fever and general malaise during the pandemic's mitigation phase.
• These infants developed gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Crucially, no respiratory symptoms were observed in these cases.

Findings:

• The newborns tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
• Their mothers had no respiratory symptoms during the public health emergency.
• No epidemiological link to suspected COVID-19 cases was established.

Implications:

• The absence of respiratory signs in newborns with COVID-19 necessitates heightened clinical suspicion.
• Clinicians must consider SARS-CoV-2 infection in febrile newborns presenting with non-respiratory symptoms, particularly gastrointestinal issues.
• This highlights the importance of considering COVID-19 in neonatal febrile illness, irrespective of typical respiratory presentation.