Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 6 months for neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. METHODS: Neonates of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, admitted in our hospital were assessed for growth, neurodevelopment by Amiel-Tison method, and Developmental Profile (DP3) at discharge as part of another study (July 2020). This data were retrieved and babies followed-up at the age of 6 months. Composite adverse outcome was death within 6 months post discharge or DP3 score <70 and hearing/visual deficit. RESULTS: Out of 131 enrolled at discharge, 127 (97%) were followed up. SARs-CoV-2 positive neonates (Group I; 19, 15%) had more symptoms (P=0.012), sepsis (P=0.014), pneumonia (P=0.029), longer hospital stay (P<0.001) following birth compared to group II (SARs-CoV-2 negative neonates;108, 85%). No baby in group I met definition of composite adverse outcome, while in group II it was 0.9% (1 child with DP3 <70 with hearing deficit) (P=1.0) without any difference in hospital readmission, growth, DP3 scores, or tone abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in growth, neurodevelopment, and hospital readmission in early infancy among infected and non-infected babies born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers.