Possible Mom-to-Baby COVID-19 Transmission Recorded in Japan

A possible mom-to-baby COVID-19 transmission was reported in Japan. According to the Japan Pediatric Society, this is the first case of such nature recorded in the country.

Aside from the transmission of the coronavirus, the newborn baby is reported to be healthy.

In the Japan Pediatric Society report, the mother of the newborn baby tested positive for the coronavirus, and the baby tested positive as well. Doctors tested the baby immediately after it was born.

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Observations among moms and babies during the coronavirus pandemic

The Japan Pediatric Society started surveying medical institutions last year. That was in September and October when they received answers from more than 1,100 medical facilities.

Three hundred thirty-four institutions that JPS surveyed accepted pregnant women who tested positive with the coronavirus.

According to the data gathered, only 31 institutions admitted pregnant women infected with COVID-19 during the period concerned. Fifty-two moms gave birth in these 31 medical institutions. Among the 52 babies born, one tested positive for the coronavirus.

The mom-to-baby COVID-19 transmission

According to Japan Times, the newborn baby may have contracted the virus while inside the mom's womb. 

According to Ichiro Morioko, the professor of Nihon University, School of Medicine, who compiled the report, it is possible. However, a mom-to-baby COVID-19 transmission does not happen frequently.

Morioko added that the possibility of a newborn baby who contracted the virus developing severe symptoms is not high.

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Other Cases of Mom-to-Baby COVID-19 Transmission

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal published a case about a premature baby who contracted the virus from a mother who already tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Science Daily, this case is a shred of additional evidence to the belief that COVID-19 can be transmitted in the utero. Also, the case only proved that pregnant women should be extra careful to avoid the virus's contraction.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains that as of now, there is minimal information about the risks of COVID-19 to newborn babies who have mothers that tested positive for the coronavirus.

The limited information about this matter includes:

• It is not clear whether the newborn babies that got the virus contracted it before, during, or after birth.
• Most babies recovered from the mild symptoms they had, or they did not exhibit any symptoms.
• There are some reports of newborn babies that exhibited severe coronavirus illness.

Taking care of a newborn during the pandemic

According to the CDC, taking care of newborn babies could be risky. There are still no known risks about COVID-19 and newborns of mothers with COVID-19. However, CDC suggests that parents become extra careful.

When taking care of a newborn baby, you should follow the following steps:

• Wearing masks is advisable,
• Wash hands before carrying the baby
• If it is not possible to wash hands, then hand sanitizers or alcohol may do

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