COVID-19 Exposure: A Possible Association with Congenital Anomalies and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 exposure on neonatal outcomes has not yet been fully evaluated. This article aimed to find whether COVID-19 exposure was linked to congenital anomalies, and other adverse neonatal outcomes. This was achieved through predetermined criteria which were used to search the Google Scholar database for published literature. Eleven full-length articles, which evaluated neonates born to COVID-19 positive mothers, were included, of which there were review articles, observational studies, one case report, and one case series. Positive reports of congenital anomalies were seen in four of the included articles. However, the other studies reported no congenital anomalies, low risk of congenital anomalies, or did not mention congenital anomalies. It is possible that the included positive reports were unrelated to the presence of COVID-19. Other adverse neonatal outcomes which were reported in the articles included preterm birth, perinatal death, dyspnea, fever, fetal distress, and pregnancy losses. While further research is needed to further ascertain the relationship, current evidence suggests no risk or low risk of congenital anomalies with the presence of COVID-19.