Babies in Singapore Born with COVID-19 Antibodies, What Causes It?

While in a report in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, Doctors in China are reporting the detection and reduction of COVID-19 antibodies over time in babies born to positive mothers.

To InsiderPediatrician and neonatologist Jessica Madden said that in some cases, this kind of report was to be expected. This is because IgG antibodies, which fight bacteria and viruses, are known to protect fetuses and newborns from infectious diseases.

“This is the reason why certain vaccines, such as pertussis and flu, are recommended during pregnancy,” said Madden. “IgG antibodies are increased in the fetus late in pregnancy, especially after the 36 weeks gestation mark.”

But he stressed, there is still more research to find out whether symptom levels also affect antibody levels, whether the timing of infection is during pregnancy, and how strong and long-lasting the protection is in babies.

This was also conveyed by Tan Hak Koon from the obstetrics and gynecology division at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore.

“It is not yet known whether the presence of these antibodies in newborns offers a degree of protection against COVID-19 infection, let alone the duration of protection,” said Tan Hak Koon.

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