The association of maternal SARS-CoV-2 vaccination-to-delivery interval and the levels of maternal and cord blood antibodies

Objective To evaluate the correlation of maternal and cord blood levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pregnant women immunized against COVID-19. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed of pregnant women who delivered at a single university affiliated tertiary medical center. Women who received the COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2 Pfizer (c)) were approached. The correlation between levels of maternal sera and umbilical cord SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG was assessed. Results Overall, 58 women were included; of them, 19 had received a single dose and 39 received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Positive levels of umbilical cord IgG were found in 13/19 (68.4%) and 38/39 (97.4%) women after the administration of a single dose and two doses of the vaccine, respectively. The levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the maternal sera of vaccinated women were positively correlated to their respective concentrations in cord blood sera (rho = 0.857; R-2 linear = 0.719; P < 0.001). Thirteen days after vaccination, the ratio of maternal-to-umbilical cord anti Spike IgG antibodies was approximately 1, indicating relatively similar levels in maternal and cord sera. Conclusion After the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, levels of maternal and cord blood antibodies were positively correlated, especially when tested after 13 days following administration of the first dose of the vaccine.