Abstract

Background: The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to fetus and the development of protective antibodies in newborns are critical aspects of maternal and neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the association between umbilical cord IgG COVID-19 antibody levels and maternal factors, including gestational age of acquiring infection, COVID-19 clinical category, and immunization status, can provide insights into neonatal immunity and guide strategies for optimizing maternal and neonatal care.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the association between umbilical cord IgG COVID-19 antibody levels and maternal factors in a cohort of pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Maternal data, including gestational age of acquiring infection, COVID-19 clinical category, and immunization status, were collected. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained at delivery, and IgG COVID-19 antibody levels were measured using standardized assays. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the associations between maternal factors and neonatal antibody levels.

Results: Preliminary results showed that gestational age of acquiring infection was positively associated with umbilical cord IgG COVID-19 antibody levels (p<0.001). Neonates born to mothers infected in the third trimester had significantly higher antibody levels compared to those infected in the first or second trimesters. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between COVID-19 clinical category and umbilical cord IgG antibody levels, with more severe maternal illness associated with higher neonatal antibody levels. Maternal immunization status also demonstrated a positive association with umbilical cord IgG COVID-19 antibody levels, indicating that vaccinated mothers had higher levels of antibodies transferred to their infants.

Conclusion: This study highlights the association between umbilical cord IgG COVID-19 antibody levels and maternal factors, including gestational age of acquiring infection, COVID-19 clinical category, and immunization status. The findings suggest that infection in the third trimester, more severe maternal illness, and maternal immunization are associated with higher levels of neonatal antibodies. These results have important implications for understanding neonatal immunity and guiding maternal and neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate these findings and inform evidence-based strategies for optimizing maternal and neonatal outcomes.