COVID in Newborns Linked to Necrotizing Enterocolitis Risk: study

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on expectant mothers and their babies extends to many aspects of life. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has been recognized as a life-threatening gastrointestinal inflammatory process in neonates with high morbidity and mortality rates.

A study was conducted to investigate factors associated with NEC in hospitalized neonates whose mothers were SARS-CoV-2-positive and their relationship to mortality. This observational study was conducted from May 2020 to March 2021. All hospitalised neonates after confirming that the mother was SARS-CoV-2-positive were included in this study. The confirmation of positive SARS-CoV-2 was determined according to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The neonatal SARS-CoV-2 test was performed on the first day of birth. NEC was established based on a suggestive clinical presentation and abnormal abdominal radiographs.

Results:

Of the 125 neonates enrolled in this study, there were 5 neonates who developed NEC and only one survived. Significant associated factors with NEC included lower birth weight (p < 0.001), lower gestational age (p < 0.001), positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results (OR = 15.333; 95% CI = 2.074–113.381, p = 0.007), asphyxia (OR = 13.143; 95% CI = 1.411–122.443, p = 0.024), and mortality (OR = 156.000; 95% CI = 13.157–1849.623; p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly associated with lower gestational age (p = 0.025), cesarean section delivery (p = 0.025), and asphyxia (p = 0.025).

Thus, NEC's significant associated factors in neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers included positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results, asphyxia, lower gestational age, and lower birth weight. In addition to caesarean section delivery, these factors were related to mortality in neonates in such conditions.

Reference:

Observational study on necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers by Dina Angelika et al. published in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103711

Keywords:

COVID-19, Newborns, Linked, Necrotizing, Enterocolitis, Risk, Annals of Medicine and Surgery, Dina Angelika, Risa Etik, Naomi Nathania, Kusuma, ward, anic, Setya, MithradI Dewa Gede, Ugrasena, new mothers