CLINICAL FEATURES OF COVID-19 INFECTION IN NEWBORNS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Mukhaliyev Ye., Г.Г. Куттыкужанова, Akmaral Tanirbergenova, Adil Katarbayev, G. Akdauletova

2024

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DOI 10.26212/2227-1937.2024.55.81.008
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all age groups, including newborns. During the fifth surge, the prevalence of the Omicron variant among infants increased dramatically. While SARS-CoV-2 is generally milder in children than adults, newborns are vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Clinical manifestations in newborns can range from asymptomatic to severe cases with respiratory distress or multi-organ dysfunction. Purpose of study. Description of clinical manifestations, course and outcomes of coronavirus infection in newborns. Materials and methods of study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 110 newborns with COVID-19 admitted to the Children’s Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital of Almaty between 2021 and early 2022. The study used electronic medical records as the source of research data. Demographic data such as age and sex were collected, along with epidemiological data including international or domestic travel within two weeks prior to the onset of the disease, known exposure to a person with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a history of pregnancy. Results. The infants’ mean age was 17 days, with 44 boys (40%) and 66 girls (60%). Four newborns were admitted to the hospital at less than seven days of life. When analyzing the severity of the cases, the following proportions of newborns were observed: (3/110, 2.7%) were asymptomatic, (44/110, 40%) had mild symptoms, (57/110, 51.8%) were moderately severe, (4/110, 3.6%) severe, and (2/110, 1.8%) had very severe illness. The majority (68.4%) were hospitalized within three days of symptom onset. Fever was common, and all infants underwent chest CTs. Despite some severe cases, 99% had favorable outcomes, with only one fatality. Conclusion. This study indicates that most COVID-19 infections in newborns were contracted from household contacts. Clinical symptoms in infants included fever, catarrhal symptoms, and signs of intoxication, with some showing normal temperatures. Laboratory findings varied, with common changes including monocytosis and neutrophilia. Respiratory complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, were prevalent. Comorbidities, particularly congenital disorders, increased the risk of severe outcomes and mortality. Most newborns recovered within 1-2 weeks, though viral carriage persisted in many.