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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2023; 18(04): 178-185
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768200
Original Article

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Matched Pregnant Women and Newborn Blood

Zeliha Haytoglu
1   Department of Pediatrics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Eren Haytoglu
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adana City Health Research Center, Adana, Türkiye
,
Ferda Ozlu
3   Division of Pediatric Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Hacer Yapıcıoglu Yıldızdas
3   Division of Pediatric Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Filiz Kibar
4   Department of Microbiology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Central Laboratory, Adana, Türkiye
,
Salih Çetiner
5   Central Laboratory, Balcalı Hospital, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Selvi Gulası
6   Division of Pediatric Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Adana City Health Research Center, Adana, Türkiye
,
Gulsum Uysal
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adana City Health Research Center, Adana, Türkiye
,
Ozlem Ozgur Gundeslioglu
7   Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Derya Alabaz
7   Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Mete Sucu
8   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Türkiye
,
Umit Celik
9   Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Adana City Health Research Center, Adana, Türkiye
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Abstract

Objective The factors affecting the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies from mother to newborn and the duration of seropositivity rates in these infants have not yet been clearly demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to assess the levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike–specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in women infected in the pregnancy period and newborns born to these women and to search the transplacental transfer ratio of spike-specific IgG.

Methods Seventy pregnant women with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and their newborns were prospectively followed. Anti–SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay was used for the detection of the in vitro quantitative determination of total antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Results Spike-specific IgG was demonstrated in 89.1% (44 of 46) of pregnant women infected more than 14 days before delivery and in 92.6% (43 of 44) of their newborns. Median transfer ratio of spike-specific Ig was 0.87 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.34–0.90), 1.0 (IQR, 0.9–0.29), and 0.81 (IQR, 0.02–1.0) in first trimester (n = 4), second trimester (n = 14), and third trimester (n = 28) pregnant women, respectively. Antibody transfer ratio was correlated with time elapsed from infection (p < 0.001). Peak antibody transfer ratio above 1 was observed at a median 60 to 120 days after the infection from delivery. Antibody transfer ratio was high in pregnant women infected more than 60 days before delivery (p < 0.001). Transfer ratio was significantly higher in the severe-critically symptomatic women (n = 15) than the mild-moderately symptomatic women (n = 55) (p = 0.001). At 3 months, 18 of 25 infants (72%) had spike-specific IgG.

Conclusion Timing from infection to delivery and severity of maternal infection are critical in assessing the antibody generation and transport. Higher antibody transfer ratio can be detected in neonates when SARS-CoV-2 infection is present for more than 60 days before birth. Maternally derived antibody can persist for 3 months after birth.

Keywords

COVID-19 - pregnancy - SARS-CoV-2 - spike-specific IgG


Publication History

Received: 07 November 2022

Accepted: 08 March 2023

Article published online:
11 April 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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