Perinatal/Neonatal COVID transmission: Guidance for Health Professionals

Because of their unique immunologic and physiologic states, pregnant women and neonates may be at risk for worse outcomes related to COVID-19 infection. Unfortunately, the outcomes specific to pregnant women and their neonates are understudied. Dr. Annabelle de St Maurice and Alison Chu, from  Divisions of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, UCLA, summarize the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women and neonates, who may be especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, and discuss what is known about potential maternal fetal and maternal-neonatal transmission of SARS-CoV-2. They also provide guidance on practical ways to manage pregnant women coming in to deliver and for rooming in/visitation when the baby is born. An update on what is known so far about vaccination in these populations is also discussed.