The findings also suggest that vaccinating pregnant women may protect their unborn babies, the researchers said – and it is worth studying the possibility. Pregnant women are advised to get flu shots to protect themselves and their babies.
Newborn specialist Dr. Dustin Flannery of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and colleagues studied more than 1,400 mothers and newborns. They found that protective IgG antibodies were transferred across the placenta in 72 of 83 infected or previously infected pregnant women who studied.
None of the babies of infected mothers developed coronavirus infection. And 60% of women who had antibodies to the coronavirus had no symptoms, the researchers reported.
“Can maternal antibodies help to delay the onset of infection or protect the baby from becoming infected, having a serious illness or dying from COVID-19?” asked Dr. Flor Munoz, a molecular virologist at Baylor College of Medicine, who was not involved in the research.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States recommend immunizing babies against influenza at six months, for example, even if mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy.
“To what extent can antibodies transferred from breast milk protect lactating infants?” Munoz asked.
“Babies should be vaccinated regardless of maternal infection, and if so, when is the best time to start childhood vaccines? Is there a potential harmful effect of maternal antibodies on babies’ responses to active immunization? for babies, considering their risk and unique immunological needs? “