Singapore woman who contracted COVID-19 in March gives birth to baby with antibodies

A woman in Singapore, who h contracted COVID-19 in March when she was pregnant, has given birth to a baby with antibodies against virus, hinting at possibility of transfer of infection from mor to child, Straitstime reported.

baby was born to Celine Ng-Chan in vember without Coronavirus but with its antibodies. doctor suspects that she may have transferred her COVID-19 antibodies to baby during her pregnancy. Ng-Chan was mildly ill from disease and was discharged from National University Hospital (NUH) after two-and-a-half weeks of treatment.

As per World Health Organisation, it is t yet kwn wher a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. To date, scientists have t found an active virus in samples of fluid around baby in womb or in breast milk.

However, doctors in China have reported detection and decline over time, of COVID-19 antibodies in babies born to women who suffered disease. Meanwhile, doctors in US have said that transmission of coronavirus from mors to newborns is rare. 

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Baby born with antibodies may t be immune to virus

While babies of women with COVID-19 during ir pregnancies may be born with antibodies, it remains unclear wher infant is immune to virus or how long immunity would last. In Ng-Chan's case, it is t clear if antibodies were passed from mor or baby developed m for him or herself.

As per a study published by  journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, all h detectable levels of IgG antibodies at birth of 11 infants born to COVID-19 positive women in China, while five h detectable IgM antibodies. 

IgM is initial antibody that is produced in response to an infection, but it is usually t transferred from mor to fetus through placenta because of its large size. On or hand, smaller IgG antibodies can be transferred passively from mor to fetus through placenta. Although duration of baby's immunity from maternal IgG antibodies is unclear.

(with inputs from ncies)

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