COVID-19 AMONG NEONATES: EXPERIENCE FROM AN SNCU OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN EASTERN INDIA

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to every corner of the globe with immense rapidity. The clinical presentation of neonates due to COVID19 is poorly understood.

Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the clinical profile of neonates with COVID-19 from the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.

Materials and Methods: Data from the hospital record section was retrieved and bed head tickets (BHT) were collected. A thorough review of the BHTs was done. Retrieved data was presented in tabulated form and analyzed.

Results: Out of the 285 neonates tested for COVID19 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the nasopharyngeal swab, 23 tested positive. Fever was the most common presenting complaint in 9 cases (39.13%). Respiratory distress was the clinical presentation in 5 cases (21.73%), while 4 cases (17.39%) presented with diarrhea. The other symptoms included fever and cough with nasal congestion, found in 2 cases (8.69%). Mother being positive for COVID-19 was found to be a risk factor for COVID-19 in 3 (13.04%) cases.

Conclusions: It is essential to screen neonates not only with the history of COVID-19 positive mothers but also other neonates presenting with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.