Neonatal Survival Following Spontaneous Maternal Recovery From Ebola Virus Disease in a Resource‐Limited Setting in Western Democratic Republic of the Congo

<b>Background:</b> Pregnancy induces physiological decline in maternal immunity. Ebola virus disease (EVD) in pregnancy is associated with obstetrical complications, and vaccination in early pregnancy is recommended, but may not be without risk. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We described neonatal survival after spontaneous maternal EVD recovery. This neonate was born to a 25-year-old mother admitted to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in July, 2020, after 11 days of symptoms. She was vaccinated with rVSV-ZEBOV three days before symptom onset and her real-time polymerase chain of reaction (RT-PCR) results confirmed EVD and malarial infection two days after, but she refused hospitalization. She was treated at home with PO ASAQ, amoxicillin, paracetamol, albendazole, omeprazole, and papaverine. Eleven days later, due to clinical deterioration and onset of vaginal hemorrhage, she finally accepted to be transferred in ETU. She was Parity 2, fetal age at admission was 5 weeks and 3 days. Upon admission, her EVD PCR measured NP 26.3 and GP 32.9. She did not receive monoclonal therapy against Ebola infection due to stock shortage. She received intravenous, artesunate, ceftriaxone, and papaverine. She experienced spontaneous resolution of EVD 18 days after symptom onset and was discharged. At 40 weeks gestation, seven and a half months after EVD recovery, she delivered a healthy female infant, APGAR 10/10/10, weighing 3450 g. Maternal blood, adnexal, and newborn blood samples were RT-PCR negative, and the mother and the baby were discharged after 14 days. At our last follow-up, in June 2023 (2 years, 3 months after delivery), the mother and the baby were in good health. <b>Conclusion:</b> Neonatal survival following spontaneous maternal recovery from EVD in the first trimester of gestation is rare but possible, even in the context of limited clinical resources for treatment.

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Journal
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/crdi/2987569
Primary Topic
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
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article
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article

Neonatal Survival Following Spontaneous Maternal Recovery From Ebola Virus Disease in a Resource‐Limited Setting in Western Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mija Ververs, Emilie Grant, Prince Imani‐Musimwa, Placide Mbala‐Kingebeni et al.
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
article

Neonatal Survival Following Spontaneous Maternal Recovery From Ebola Virus Disease in a Resource‐Limited Setting in Western Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mija Ververs, Emilie Grant, Prince Imani‐Musimwa, Placide Mbala‐Kingebeni, Daniel Mukadi‐Bamuleka, Richard Kitenge-Omasumbu, Olivier Nyakio, Dieudonné Sengeyi Mushengezi, Micheline Feza‐Malira, Rigo Fraterne‐Muhayangabo, Inès Claris‐Mwatsi, Zacharie Tsongo‐Kibendelwa, Juakali Sihali-Kyolov, Richard Bitwe-Mihanda, Théophile Barhwamire-Kabesha, Celine Kavira-Malengera
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Pregnancy induces physiological decline in maternal immunity. Ebola virus disease (EVD) in pregnancy is associated with obstetrical complications, and vaccination in early pregnancy is recommended, but may not be without risk. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We described neonatal survival after spontaneous maternal EVD recovery. This neonate was born to a 25-year-old mother admitted to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in July, 2020, after 11 days of symptoms. She was vaccinated with rVSV-ZEBOV three days before symptom onset and her real-time polymerase chain of reaction (RT-PCR) results confirmed EVD and malarial infection two days after, but she refused hospitalization. She was treated at home with PO ASAQ, amoxicillin, paracetamol, albendazole, omeprazole, and papaverine. Eleven days later, due to clinical deterioration and onset of vaginal hemorrhage, she finally accepted to be transferred in ETU. She was Parity 2, fetal age at admission was 5 weeks and 3 days. Upon admission, her EVD PCR measured NP 26.3 and GP 32.9. She did not receive monoclonal therapy against Ebola infection due to stock shortage. She received intravenous, artesunate, ceftriaxone, and papaverine. She experienced spontaneous resolution of EVD 18 days after symptom onset and was discharged. At 40 weeks gestation, seven and a half months after EVD recovery, she delivered a healthy female infant, APGAR 10/10/10, weighing 3450 g. Maternal blood, adnexal, and newborn blood samples were RT-PCR negative, and the mother and the baby were discharged after 14 days. At our last follow-up, in June 2023 (2 years, 3 months after delivery), the mother and the baby were in good health. <b>Conclusion:</b> Neonatal survival following spontaneous maternal recovery from EVD in the first trimester of gestation is rare but possible, even in the context of limited clinical resources for treatment.

Case Reports in Infectious DiseasesVol. 2025(1)
Ministry of Public Health (CD), ActionAid (US), Johns Hopkins University (US), University of Kinshasa (CD), Université Officielle de Bukavu (CD), National Institute of Biomedical Research (CD), Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (CD), University of Goma (CD), Université de Kisangani (CD)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 93%
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
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