Received: 26.06.2024 Accepted: 23.09.2024 Published online: 28.09.2024
DOI: 10.26212/2227-1937.2024.55.81.008
UDC: 616.24
Ye. Mukhaliyev1, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0996-1428
G. Kuttykuzhanova1, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1876-2217
A. Tanirbergenova1, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6002-4029
A. Katarbayev1, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8623-7441
G. Akdauletova2, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8388-0879
1Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
2Pediatric Infectious Diseases Hospital, Almaty, Kazakhstan
CLINICAL FEATURES OF COVID-19 INFECTION IN NEWBORNS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
Resume:
Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all age groups, including newborns. During the fifth surge,
the prevalence of the Omicron variant among infants increased dramatically. While SARS-CoV-2 is generally milder in
children than adults, newborns are vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Clinical manifestations in newborns
can range from asymptomatic to severe cases with respiratory distress or multi-organ dysfunction.
Purpose of study. Description of clinical manifestations, course and outcomes of coronavirus infection in newborns.
Materials and methods of study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 110 newborns with COVID-19 admitted to the
Children’s Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital of Almaty between 2021 and early 2022. The study used electronic medical
records as the source of research data. Demographic data such as age and sex were collected, along with epidemiological data
including international or domestic travel within two weeks prior to the onset of the disease, known exposure to a person
with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a history of pregnancy.
Results. The infants’ mean age was 17 days, with 44 boys (40%) and 66 girls (60%). Four newborns were admitted to the
hospital at less than seven days of life. When analyzing the severity of the cases, the following proportions of newborns were
observed: (3/110, 2.7%) were asymptomatic, (44/110, 40%) had mild symptoms, (57/110, 51.8%) were moderately severe,
(4/110, 3.6%) severe, and (2/110, 1.8%) had very severe illness. The majority (68.4%) were hospitalized within three days
of symptom onset. Fever was common, and all infants underwent chest CTs. Despite some severe cases, 99% had favorable
outcomes, with only one fatality.
Conclusion. This study indicates that most COVID-19 infections in newborns were contracted from household contacts.
Clinical symptoms in infants included fever, catarrhal symptoms, and signs of intoxication, with some showing normal
temperatures. Laboratory findings varied, with common changes including monocytosis and neutrophilia. Respiratory
complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, were prevalent. Comorbidities, particularly congenital disorders, increased
the risk of severe outcomes and mortality. Most newborns recovered within 1-2 weeks, though viral carriage persisted in
many.
Keywords: COVID-19, Newborns, Infants, SARS-CoV-2, Retrospective Study, Pediatrics.
