Neonatal Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-N) Associated with Prenatal Maternal SARS-CoV-2: A Case Series

• Main Authors: Ravindra Pawar, Vijay Gavade, Nivedita Patil, Vijay Mali, Amol Girwalkar, Vyankatesh Tarkasband, Sanjog Loya, Amit Chavan, Narendra Nanivadekar, Rahul Shinde, Uday Patil, Satyan Lakshminrusimha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Children
• Subjects: neonate; multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C); anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; COVID-19
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/7/572

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a post-infectious immune-mediated condition, seen 3–5 weeks after COVID-19. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 may potentially cause a similar hyperinflammatory syndrome in neonates due to transplacental transfer of antibodies. We reviewed the perinatal history, clinical features, and outcomes of 20 neonates with features consistent with MIS-C related to maternal SARS-CoV-2 in Kolhapur, India, from 1 September 2020 to 30 April 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were tested in all neonates. Fifteen singletons and five twins born to eighteen mothers with a history of COVID-19 disease or exposure during pregnancy presented with features consistent with MIS-C during the first 5 days after birth. Nineteen were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and all were negative for IgM antibodies. All mothers were asymptomatic and therefore not tested by RTPCR-SARS-CoV-2 at delivery. Eighteen neonates (90%) had cardiac involvement with prolonged QTc, 2:1 AV block, cardiogenic shock, or coronary dilatation. Other findings included respiratory failure (40%), fever (10%), feeding intolerance (30%), melena (10%), and renal failure (5%). All infants had elevated inflammatory biomarkers and received steroids and IVIG. Two infants died. We speculate that maternal SARS-CoV-2 and transplacental antibodies cause multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates (MIS-N). Immunomodulation may be beneficial in some cases, but further studies are needed.