healthUpdated: Dec 28, 2020, 12:02 ISTResearch led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) indicated the severe risk of Covid-19 followed SARS-CoV-2 infection into pregnant women and newborns. The study published in the journal Cell reveals lower than the expected transfer of protective SARS-CoV-2 antibodies via the placenta from mothers who are infected in the third trimester. In contrast, transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies to the baby was not only significantly reduced, but the antibodies transferred were less functional than the antibodies against influenza. The reduced transfer was only observed in third-trimester infection. The carbohydrate attachments on SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in maternal blood were different than those seen on influenza- and pertussis-specific antibodies.

Source: Hindustan Times December 28, 2020 06:33 UTC