Analyzed variables
Women were differentiated according to the timing of cord clamping (early or delayed). Early cord clamping (ECC) and DCC were established when performed < 30 or > 30 seconds after the delivery, respectively. Primary variables included: the rate of perinatal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and development of COVID-19 disease in neonates at day 14 of the delivery. Perinatal transmission was defined by a positive PCR in a nasopharyngeal sample from the neonate. Given the lack of a uniform criterion about neonatal infection, the diagnosis was made by PCR from a nasopharyngeal sample, following specific considerations. If the PCR was positive within 12 hours after delivery, it was repeated. If this second PCR was negative, the first PCR was then considered as contaminated or a false positive; however, if positive, the infection was corroborated. Each case was followed-up at 14 days after delivery, by phone. The state of health of each neonate was confirmed during the writing of this manuscript (June 2020). Secondary variables included: the need for neonatal resuscitation, admission at the intensive care unit (ICU), neonatal symptomatology suggestive of COVID-19, and rates of skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding. Neonatal symptoms were evaluated at day 14 after delivery, by completing a clinical questionnaire during a phone interview.