Coronavirus infection in neonates: Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough most neonates with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have mild disease, the impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to assess 18-month neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of neonates diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection between June 2020–August 2020 through nasopharyngeal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) PCR testing. A total of 58 neonates were identified from the Kuwait national COVID-19 registry and were enrolled. Historical controls were selected from the neonatal follow-up registry and matched 2:1 based on sex and gestational age. At 18 months of age, neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III) by two trained assessors.ResultsA total of 40 children were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and included in the final analysis. The median age at infection was 18 days (range: 10-26 days). Eighteen (45%) were asymptomatic, 15 (37.5%) had a sepsis-like presentation, 5 (12.5%) had respiratory distress and 2 (5%) had a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)-like presentation. At 18 months follow up, only one child had severe developmental delay, and one child had a language delay. BSID-III outcomes did not significantly differ between the SARS-CoV-2 infected group and the control group.ConclusionsThere is no difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection at 18 months compared to controls, although longer neurodevelopmental follow-up studies are required.