Pop Quiz: COVID-19 Testing for Neonates

AUTHOR:
John W. Harrington, MD
Director, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk, VA

A 3-kg boy was born vaginally at 38+ weeks to a G1P1A0 woman with known opioid use. The neonate developed mild withdrawal symptoms at 48 to 72 hours postpartum and was monitored in the nursery. However, he did not require morphine.

The birth mother, who relinquished her parental rights to the neonate’s elderly paternal grandparents, tested positive for COVID-19 on day 2 postpartum. The neonate was subsequently tested via nasal swab SARS-CoV-2 RNA on day 2 postpartum. The results of which were positive as well.

The neonate has no current COVID-19 symptoms and appears well, feeding up to 2 oz of formula, and is only 150 g below birth weight. At day 7 postpartum, he is ready to be discharged.