Newborns of women who contracted the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the last three months of pregnancy face the threat of MIS-N (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates). In the past nine months, 15 newborns succumbed to MIS-N in Vadodara, Gujarat, claim gynaecologists and paediatricians who are treating a newborn who is on high-flow ventilator support, as his lungs have been damaged.

Doctors have advised all expectant parents to wear N95 masks, as the only path through which the virus can reach the foetus is the mother. Even if the pregnancy is at full-term stage, the foetus can develop lung complications, doctors said. Immunologist Dr Jacob John of Vellore said such cases should be brought to the attention of the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology, whose experts must ascertain the reason behind the lung infections.