Case Report: Prolonged Neutropenia in Premature Monoamniotic Twins With SARS-CoV-2 Infection Acquired by Vertical Transmission.

BACKGROUND

Vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a highly debated topic in the current pandemic situation. Early neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection is rare and generally mild. Long-term data describing symptoms after COVID-19 in premature neonates is scarce.

CASE PRESENTATION

Two premature, monoamniotic neonates were born by cesarean section to a mother 5 days after onset of symptomatic COVID-19. On day three of life both neonates developed hyperthermia, respiratory distress, and hematological changes, of which neutropenia persisted for over 40 days. Nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 turned positive four days after delivery although the neonates were strictly isolated. Both neonates showed nearly identical time courses of ct values.

CONCLUSION

Our case report revealed prolonged low absolute neutrophil counts in two preterm neonates with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection that is reasonably assumed to have been transmitted vertically . After preterm delivery to a SARS-CoV-2 positive mother, testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates is crucial. Both neutropenia and lymphopenia should alert physicians to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection and also to follow the case.