Prenatal transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, resulting in neonatal severe acute pneumonia, from an asymptomatic mother: a case report

We report a case of prenatal coronavirus disease 2019, which evolved 6 days after birth into severe pneumonia with signs of multiple organ failure, in a mother with asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019.

At minute 11 of life, our patient from Afro-Caribbean had polypnea with mild signs of struggle; Silverman’s index was scored at three. Chest radiography showed bilateral opacities consistent with respiratory distress syndrome. On the 6th day of life, a thoracic computed tomography scan showed bilateral parenchymatous lesions (10–20%) in ground glass, compatible with coronavirus disease 2019-type infection. At the same time, the neonate showed signs of multiple organ failure (elevated liver and cardiac enzyme levels). She was treated with azithromycin (20 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. All the signs recovered fully by day 12. Real-time polymerase chain reaction results were positive in the first 30 min of life, suggesting prenatal transmission. Our patient has been followed until 2 years old and is developing well with no sequelae.

This case report demonstrates the incompatibility between maternal asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 and severe neonatal lung involvement. We emphasize the need for vigilance to avoid missing the most severe forms of neonatal coronavirus disease 2019.