SARS in Newborns and Children

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious infection caused by a newly discovered strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Infants born to pregnant women with SARS did not appear to acquire the infection through vertical transmission. Some newborn infants, however, developed severe intrauterine growth retardation and life-threatening gastrointestinal complications. It is now known that the clinical course and prognosis are different between paediatric and adult SARS patients. Young children (<12 years), in general, run a less aggressive clinical course than do teenage and adult patients. Thus far, no fatalities have been reported in the paediatric age group (≤18 years). This review describes the current understanding of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, immunological profiles, patient management and outcomes of SARS-CoV infection in the paediatric population.

Prophylaxis and Treatment of Pregnant Women for Emerging Infections and Bioterrorism Emergencies

“…The SARS outbreak of 2003, caused by a newly identified coronavirus, affected >8,000 persons worldwide ( 22 ). Reports suggest that the clinical course and outcomes of SARS might be more severe for pregnant than for nonpregnant women ( 23 ).…”

“…Animal studies and some human studies have demonstrated an increased risk for birth defects when corticosteroids are used during pregnancy ( 26 ). In spite of this information, all but 1 of the 12 pregnant women with SARS reported from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China received ribavirin and corticosteroid treatment ( 22 ), probably because their illness was life-threatening. On the basis of more recent data, the efficacy of ribavirin and corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with SARS has been questioned ( 24 ).…”

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy: what obstetricians need to know

“…No clinical, radiologic, or laboratory evidence for transmission 169 from mother to fetus was observed, despite laboratory testing of different specimens. 12,13…”

Obstacles and advances in SARS vaccine development

“…IgM antibodies declined after 30 days and IgG antibodies persisted up to day 210 [14] and antiviral neutralizing antibodies were obtained from convalescent patients [14]. Morbidity rates were greater for older individuals, while children under 12 years of age did not develop the severe disease that was seen in adults [15]. Taken together these data may suggest that the quality of the immune response may play a role in the outcome of virus infection.…”