Neonatal Complications of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

There is an evidence gap in relation to the incidence, impact and severity of COVID-19 in newborn babies. International data are very limited, we have no robust estimates of incidence and no UK-based data with which to inform policy, clinical care, service delivery or advice to pregnant women. The research aims are to investigate the three mains ways in which COVID-19 might affect newborns and babies that need neonatal care: 1. Newborn babies might catch COVID-19 before, during or soon after birth and this may lead to problems with breathing or feeding that need support in hospital. 2. COVID-19 could affect babies that are already on neonatal units with other medical conditions (like being very premature) that place them at greater risk of severe COVID-19. 3. COVID-19 might affect that way that pregnant women are looked after in pregnancy, labour or bith which could lead to problems for some babies, even if they do not themselves become infected with COVID-19.