A 31-year-old woman in Singapore has given birth to a baby with antibodies against the coronavirus.
Celine Ng-Chang gave birth to her son in November after she beat the COVID-19 while pregnant. According to the New York Post, the baby tested negative for the virus but did have the antibodies.
“My doctor suspects I have transferred my COVID-19 antibodies to him during my pregnancy,” the mother told the Straits Times.
Ng-Chang contracted the virus when she was only 10 weeks pregnant in March. She had mild symptoms and became sick. She was hospitalized for over two weeks.
“My pregnancy and birth was smooth sailing despite being diagnosed with Covid-19 in my first trimester, which is the most unstable stage of the pregnancy,” she said.
On November 7, she gave birth to a “very healthy” baby boy whom she named Aldrin.
“It’s very interesting. His pediatrician said my COVID-19 antibodies are gone but Aldrin has COVID-19 antibodies,” Ng-Chang said. According to health experts, someone who has antibodies may have immunity against the virus, but it’s still vague how much protection they have.
There is little known on the transmission between pregnant women and their newborns, but researchers say it’s rare. A study in the UK discovered only 66 newborns out of 10,000 tested positive for the coronavirus between March 1 through April 30.
Still, WHO says there is not enough research or evidence on the subject to say women transmit the virus to their baby while pregnant or delivering. Health experts have not found coronavirus samples in the fluid in the womb or breast milk.
