Clinical Profile and Short-Term Outcome of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Neonates from a Government Medical College in West...

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a terrifying global pandemic. The presentations in neonates are varied with less case severity compared to adults.

To describe the clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of neonates admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second surge of COVID-19 pandemic in a Government Medical College, West Bengal, India.

It is a hospital-based observational cross-sectional study conducted in the newborn unit of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital between 1 April 2021 and 31 July 2021 including all SARS-CoV-2 Real time RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) positive neonates. The demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of all the neonates and their outcomes were documented and analysed.

Twenty-two neonates were found to be SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive out of which 9 (40.9%) were found to be asymptomatic and 6 (27.27%) required neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Among the symptomatic neonates, most common presentations were respiratory distress (40.9%) and gastrointestinal manifestations (40.9%). Eight (36.36%) neonates required respiratory support. Three (13.6%) neonates had pneumonia of which one had right middle lobe collapse. Laboratory parameters were nonspecific except for the two (9%) cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates. High-resolution computed tomography findings in two cases were suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced changes. Two (9%) neonates died of which one was likely due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Neonates with SARS-CoV-2 infection are mostly asymptomatic. However, clinicians must be vigilant as atypical presentations such as consolidation, collapse, meningitis or multisystem inflammatory syndrome may occur.