Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 11 neonates with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 infection in Sanya

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.5.1.3, which was the first detected in China, in order to to improve the understanding of this variant strain, providing a certain reference for subsequent diagnosis and treatment. METHODS Retrospective single-center study was used to analyze the clinical and epidemiological data of eleven neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 admitted to our hospital from Aug 1, 2022 to Sep 15 2022 in Sanya. RESULTS Among the 11 confirmed cases, 6 were males and 5 were females. The maximum age was 18 days and 2 neonates were youngest and delivered in negative pressure operating room by cesarean section, the average age was 10.48 days. Community-acquired infections were found in 9 patients, whose mothers were infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.5.1.3. Their mothers and infants shared the same room, and the infection rate was 100%. Eight neonates were breast fed. The clinical classification of COVID-19 on admission was mild in 10 cases and common in 1 case, with no severe or critical severe type. The main clinical manifestations were jaundice in 7 cases, fever in 6 cases, and cough in 4 cases, and dyspnea or convulsion were not found. The levels of myocardial enzymes and liver and kidney functions in patients were normal. CONCLUSION The majority of neonates with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA. 5.1.3 in Sanya were mild type. The main clinical manifestations were jaundice, fever and cough, and clinical symptoms were mild, with no organ damage involving the heart, liver, kidney, brain, and other organs. The Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 is highly infectious, which may cause maternal-infantile transmission in neonates, and infection is easy to occur when mother and child live together.