The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say kids can get the virus that causes COVID-19 just like adults. But, they are less likely to get very sick. From 2020 to March 2024, kids under 17 made up only about 1.5% of hospital cases for COVID-19. Yet, some newborn, infant, and baby cases of COVID-19 have led to hospital stays, intensive care, and even deaths.
Key Takeaways
- Children, including newborns, are just as likely as adults to catch COVID-19, but are less likely to become seriously ill.
- While rare, COVID-19 can cause severe illness and even death in some infants and babies.
- Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of a newborn developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
- Prompt medical attention is crucial for newborns with COVID-19 to ensure proper treatment and monitoring.
- Vaccination and preventive measures are vital to protect newborns from COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 in Babies and Infants
Recent data from the Mayo Clinic shows that kids made up about 18% of all COVID-19 cases in the US from 2020 to 2023. The chance of COVID-19 in babies and infants is lower than in older kids. But, there are some key things to think about.
Babies under 1, especially those born early, might face a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in newborns. This is because their immune systems are still growing and they might have other health issues. Infants usually get the virus from a sick caregiver after they are born. COVID-19 in infants is rarely spread from an infected mom during pregnancy or childbirth.
How Likely Is It for a Baby to Get COVID-19?
The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center says it’s rare for infected moms to pass the virus to their babies. Newborns can also catch the virus soon after birth. But, most newborns with the virus have mild symptoms or none at all. They usually get better without serious problems.
| Characteristic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Children making up COVID-19 cases in the US (2020-2023) | 18% |
| Newborns with mild or no symptoms of COVID-19 | Most |
“It appears that in very rare cases, women infected with the coronavirus can pass the disease to their baby, and newborns can also become infected shortly after being born.”
– Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 in Newborns
Newborns can face a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, especially with certain health conditions. Experts highlight the following risk factors for severe COVID-19 in newborns:
- Premature birth: Babies born early may face more challenges with COVID-19.
- Underlying medical conditions: Newborns with heart, lung, or nervous system diseases, or weak immune systems, are at greater risk.
- Obesity or type 1/type 2 diabetes: These conditions can make COVID-19 worse in infants.
- Lack of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination: Vaccinating the mother during pregnancy helps protect the newborn.
- Age under 1 year: Babies under 12 months are more likely to have serious COVID-19 issues.
Having an underlying condition in a newborn not well-controlled raises the risk of severe COVID-19. Parents and healthcare providers must watch closely and manage any existing medical issues in infants.
| Risk Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Premature Birth | Babies born early may have immature immune and respiratory systems, making them more prone to severe COVID-19. |
| Underlying Medical Conditions | Chronic diseases affecting the heart, lungs, or nervous system, or weak immune systems, can worsen COVID-19 in newborns. |
| Obesity and Diabetes | These conditions are linked to more severe COVID-19 outcomes in infants, similar to older kids and adults. |
| Lack of Vaccination | COVID-19 vaccination for the mother during pregnancy helps protect newborns from severe illness. |
| Age Under 1 Year | Infants under 12 months are more likely to face serious COVID-19 complications than older kids. |
Knowing these risk factors for severe COVID-19 in newborns helps healthcare providers and parents protect these vulnerable infants.
Symptoms of COVID-19 in Newborns
The COVID-19 pandemic has made parents and caregivers worried about newborns. Children, including infants, are usually less affected by the virus than adults. It’s key to know the possible COVID-19 symptoms newborns and COVID-19 symptoms infants might show.
The CDC says common COVID-19 signs babies have include fever and cough. Newborns and infants with COVID-19 might also have:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Muscle aches
Difficulty breathing is a worrying symptom, shown as grunting, flaring the nostrils, or shortness of breath. Babies might also struggle to cry or feed properly.
Some COVID-19 symptoms newborns and COVID-19 symptoms infants are mild or not noticeable. Yet, any illness in a newborn needs quick doctor’s attention for proper care and watch.
“The most common symptoms in children are fever and a cough, including a barking cough linked to croup.”
As COVID-19 changes, it’s vital for parents and caregivers to keep up with new info and advice. By staying alert and getting medical help when needed, we can give our youngest and most vulnerable ones the best care.
Transmission of COVID-19 to Newborns
The virus that causes COVID-19 rarely spreads from a pregnant person to the unborn baby. Instead, babies usually catch it from a sick caregiver after they are born. But, the COVID-19 vaccine might give some protection to the unborn baby and even after birth.
Even with this protection, there’s still a chance of spreading COVID-19 through droplets while breastfeeding. So, breastfeeding moms need to follow safety steps to keep their babies safe from how COVID-19 spreads to newborns and COVID-19 transmission to infants.
| Mode of Transmission | Risk Level | Preventive Measures |
|---|---|---|
| In utero (from pregnant person to unborn baby) | Low | Vaccination during pregnancy |
| After delivery (from sick caregiver) | Moderate | Isolate sick caregivers, practice good hygiene |
| Breastfeeding | Low | Mask-wearing, hand hygiene for breastfeeding mothers |
Knowing how COVID-19 can spread to newborns and taking steps to prevent it helps protect these young ones. Parents and caregivers can make a big difference in keeping these babies safe from the virus.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a serious illness in some kids – Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). This rare illness is linked to the COVID-19 virus. Parents need to know the symptoms and the need for quick medical help.
What Is MIS-C?
MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, causes inflammation in various body parts. This includes the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. It usually happens weeks after a child gets the COVID-19 virus, even if they didn’t show symptoms at first.
The reason behind MIS-C is still a mystery, but it’s thought to be an overactive immune response to the COVID-19 virus. Kids with MIS-C may have high fever, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, bloodshot eyes, and feel very tired. In bad cases, organs can be severely affected, putting their lives at risk.
MIS-C is rare but very serious. Parents should look out for symptoms and get emergency care if their child has:
- Persistent fever
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Rash or changes in skin color
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy or inability to wake up
Quick diagnosis and treatment are key to handling MIS-C. This helps reduce the risk of long-term health issues in affected kids.
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 in Children
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on children’s health and well-being. Even if the first illness wasn’t severe, some kids who got over COVID-19 might still face long-term effects. These effects are often called “long-term COVID-19 effects” or “post-COVID-19 syndrome.”
As the Mayo Clinic says, anyone who has had COVID-19, including kids, might get a post-COVID-19 syndrome. This means they could start showing new symptoms or conditions after they got over the first illness. Post-COVID-19 syndrome is more common after serious COVID-19 cases, but it can happen to anyone who gets the virus.
Children with long-term COVID-19 effects often feel very tired and it affects how they live their day. Other common symptoms include:
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Sleep disturbances
It’s important to remember that we’re still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 in kids. The full impact is not yet clear. Parents and caregivers should watch for any ongoing symptoms or health changes in their kids. They should talk to a healthcare provider for an evaluation and care plan.
“The long-term effects of COVID-19 in children are still being studied, and the full extent of the impact is not yet fully understood.”
As scientists keep looking into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on kids, it’s key for parents and healthcare providers to stay alert. They need to address any ongoing health issues in kids who beat COVID-19.
what happens if a newborn gets covid
COVID-19 can affect newborns in different ways. Most babies don’t show symptoms or have mild ones. But, some may face serious issues like breathing problems that could need a hospital stay, intensive care, or a machine to help breathe.
Most infants who get COVID-19 recover well. Yet, there have been cases where it was fatal for some kids. Babies at higher risk include those born too early, with health issues, or under a year old.
- Mild or no symptoms are common in newborns with COVID-19
- Serious complications, such as respiratory issues, can occur in some cases
- Rare cases of COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in children
- Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in newborns include prematurity, underlying conditions, and age under 1 year
“The vast majority of newborns with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, but in rare cases, the effects can be severe and even life-threatening.”
While COVID-19 can be worrying for newborns, most do well. We’re keeping a close watch to protect our little ones during these tough times.
Protecting Newborns from COVID-19
Keeping newborns safe from COVID-19 is very important for parents and doctors. Luckily, there are steps we can take to keep babies safe from COVID-19.
Vaccination and Preventive Measures
Doctors say everyone, including pregnant women, should get vaccinated against COVID-19 when they can. Getting vaccinated lowers the chance of getting sick and having severe symptoms. Also, washing hands, wearing masks, and staying away from others are key ways to stop COVID-19 from spreading to newborns.
For immunocompromised children, parents should talk to their child’s doctor about the best ways to protect them. This might mean extra safety steps or special treatment plans.
| Preventive Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Vaccination | Make sure all family members, including pregnant women, get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can. |
| Mask-wearing | Always wear masks when you’re with others to lower the chance of passing on the virus. |
| Physical distancing | Keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet from people who are not in your home. |
| Hand hygiene | Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to stop germs from spreading. |
By doing these things, families can greatly lower the risk of COVID-19 getting to their babies. This helps keep their little ones healthy and safe.
“The best way to protect newborns from COVID-19 is to ensure all family members are vaccinated and following proper safety guidelines.”
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges for newborns and infants. While kids usually get less severe symptoms than adults, babies and toddlers are still at risk. This is especially true for those with health issues or born too soon. It’s important for parents to know about the risks, signs, and ways to prevent the virus.
Parents need to watch their babies closely for any COVID-19 symptoms. If they see anything worrying, they should get medical help right away. By knowing the risks and following safety tips like getting vaccinated and washing hands, parents can help keep their babies safe.
As the pandemic changes, it’s key for doctors and health experts to keep giving advice and support to families with babies and toddlers. Together, we can make sure these young ones get the care they need. This way, we can lessen the effect of COVID-19 on their health and happiness.