Background There are few reports of COVID-19 in neonates and most are suspected to be due to postnatal transmission. Vertical transmission has been proven in only a couple of cases so far. Methods We describe early-onset, severe COVID-19 disease in a neonate with very strong evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Results A COVID-19 suspected mother, who tested negative by RT-PCR for COVID, but tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by serology, delivered a term baby. The neonate was kept in strict isolation. Molecular tests for SARS-CoV-2 on umbilical stump, placenta, and nasopharyngeal aspirate of the neonate, collected at birth were positive. On day 2, the neonate developed clinical features of COVID in the form of fever, poor feeding, and hyperbilirubenemia along with elevated inflammatory markers. Antibiotics were started empirically pending cultures. Blood, CSF, and urine cultures were sterile. Baby tested RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 on two more occasions before testing positive for antibodies and was discharged on day 21 of life. Conclusion This report highlights a very strong possibility of vertical transmission of COVID-19 from a mildly symptomatic, RT-PCR negative but antibody-positive mother with significant symptomatic, early-onset neonatal infection.

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Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCU) refers to the process of ultrasound performed at the bedside by treating physicians, for the ongoing assessment of disease, evaluation of response to treatment, and assistance in procedures. This study was conducted to assess the current utilization, training, and barriers to the implementation of neonatologist-performed POCU (NP-POCU) in Indian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: A survey questionnaire was disseminated to practicing neonatologists in India via an online survey tool from July 2017 to September 2017. The questionnaire addressed the information related to the availability of NP-POCU services, indications for its use, perception among neonatologists about its usefulness, training for NP-POCU, and access to pediatric cardiology and radiology services. Results: The overall response rate was 78%. A total of 72% respondents reported having access to NP-POCU services in their units. Neonatologist-performed POCU (NP-POCU) was used most frequently for cranial ultrasound (97%), functional echocardiography (90%), and evaluating line position (67%). Majority (92%) of the units had no training program for NP-POCU. The most common reasons cited for not having NP-POCU services were non-availability of trained personnel to perform POCU (50%) and strict Pre-conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act (50%). Conclusions: Neonatologist-performed point-of-care ultrasonography is being increasingly utilized in Indian NICUs. However, there is a lack of structured training and guidelines for its use. Non-availability of trained personnel and strict PC-PNDT Act are major barriers to its implementation. We recommend that accredited training programs and standardized guidelines be established for the safer use of NP-POCU in India.

Background: Cardiac blood flow measurements are useful in the haemodynamic management of neonates. Cardiac blood flows can be estimated with functional echocardiography as follows; flow in Superior Vena Cava (SVC), Right Ventricular Outflow (RVO) and Left Ventricular Outflow (LVO). Studies in preterm infants have shown that abnormal superior vena cava flow is associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. To date, normative data on LVO, RVO and SVC flows has been established for term appropriate for gestational age neonates and preterm neonates, but no data is available on RVO, LVO and SVC flows for term small for gestational age neonates.Objective: To determine Right Ventricular Output (RVO), Left Ventricular Output (LVO) and Superior Vena Cava (SVC) flow after the transitional period in stable full term Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates. Design: Observational study.Setting: A tertiary care, perinatal centre in western Maharashtra, India. Participants:Full term (37 to 41 weeks) small for gestational age (weight below 10th percentile for gestational age) infants who were born during the study period.Methods: RVO, LVO and SVC flows were measured by functional echocardiography on day 7 of life in stable full term SGA neonates from January 2011 to August 2011. Infants who required respiratory or cardiovascular support and intensive care unit admissions for any indication and those with a clinical suspicion of an infection within 48 hours after data collection were excluded from the study.

Neonatal sepsis remains a very common cause of morbidity and mortality. Point-of-care ultrasound imaging is a useful tool to determine the site of infection, the progress of sepsis, and prognosis/outcomes of septic neonates. The organ system imaging that is useful includes cardiac ultrasound for delineation of the hemodynamics, cranial imaging for changes in meningitis/ventriculitis, lung ultrasound for early detection of effusions and consolidation, and gut imaging for gut perfusion and viability in necrotizing enterocolitis. We describe the role of ultrasound imaging in the early diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.