Antibodies Passed to Babies

COVID antibodies are often passed on to newborn babies. (Read about "Coronaviruses" "Healthy Pregnancy") New research found that most women who catch COVID-19 when pregnant pass antibodies to their unborn babies.

Antibodies to infections are known to be transferred from mother to baby during the last three months of pregnancy, providing the baby with some protection against that particular illness when they are born.

Little is known, however, about how well COVID antibodies are transferred from mother to child, either in vaccinated or unvaccinated groups.

The latest study involved more than 4,000 women who gave birth between July 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

The women underwent PCR tests to check for current COVID infection. They also gave blood samples which were tested for antibodies, which provide evidence of past infection.

All of the newborns were given PCR tests to check for COVID. Newborns whose mothers tested positive for antibodies were also tested for antibodies.

Eighty-five percent of the babies born to women who tested positive for antibodies also tested positive for antibodies.

All the babies had negative PCRs when tested shortly after birth, indicating they didn't have COVID and that the antibodies had been passed to them by their mother, rather than being made by themselves.

While antibody transfer was high, levels in the newborns were slightly lower than in their mothers.

COVID-19 can cause a range of issues, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say symptoms can appear days after exposure and include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC says it will continue to update this list as it learns more about COVID-19.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Trouble breathing and /or persistent pain or pressure in the chest indicate an emergency situation and you should seek help. If you or someone around you develops new confusion or inability to arouse that too is a reason to seek care. Bluish lips or face can indicate a low oxygen level and should also be treated as an emergency.

As with other diseases caused by coronaviruses, COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

CDC says it is important that people take steps to protect themselves, including:

• Clean your hands often. You should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important is you have been out in public or if you have just sneezed or coughed. If you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol can be used. Rub hands with the sanitizer until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Used correctly, masks can reduce the inhalation of virus-laden droplets, which can protect the person wearing the mask. Masks can also reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is important so that asymptomatic people do not infect others.
• As soon as you can, CDC says you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. All of the available vaccines have been tested in clinical trials. (Read about "Clinical Studies") The studies show that the vaccines reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, and lower the severity of the disease if you do contract it. Contact your healthcare provider or state health department to learn about your vaccine status.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.