Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 antibodies often transfer them to babies in the womb, a new study shows.
More than 1,400 mothers and newborns were studied, and the researchers found that antibodies were transferred across the placenta to 72 of 83 infected or previously infected pregnant women, according to a study published Friday by JAMA Pediatrics in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
“Our findings demonstrate the potential for specific maternal-derived SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to provide neonatal protection against coronavirus 2019,” the study says.
Babies born to COVID-19 positive mothers did not develop an infection and 60% of women who had coronavirus antibodies did not report symptoms, according to the researchers.
The finding also recommends that expectant mothers should also be vaccinated against other viruses, such as the flu, so that they can protect themselves and their children.