Singaporean woman gives birth to baby with COVID-19 antibodies

An woman in Singapore, who was pregnant when she was infected with the coronavirus has given birth to a baby with(COVID-19 antibodies, offering new clue as to whether the deadly infection can be transmitted from mother to child.

Mrs Celine Ng-Chan, 31, gave birth earlier this month after being infected by the coronavirus in March but her baby did not have COVID-19 and instead carried antibodies against the virus according to the mother who told a local media outlet.

Although, woman can giving birth to babies with COVID-19 antibodies, it still remains unclear if the baby is immune to the virus altogether or how long the immunity would last.

Researchers are trying to figure out whether the COVID-19 antibodies were passed from the mother or the baby developed them on his or her own.

IgM is the initial antibody that is produced in response to an infection is usually not transferred from mother to child through the placenta due to its large size. However, smaller IgG antibodies can be transferred from mother to fetus but the duration of immunity remains unclear.

The National University Hospital (NUH), where the baby was born, and the KK Woman’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) are currently studying to determine how coronavirus (COVID-19) may impact health of pregnant women and their babies.

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