Maternal Immunity and Infant SARS-CoV-2 Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the relationship between maternal immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants under 12 months old in Scotland.
IRAS ID
321952
Contact name
Louisa Pollock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Innovation, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection is mild in most children, but young infants are amongst those at most risk of severe disease. Young infants are not included in current Covid-19 vaccine programmes. We know that Covid-19 antibodies from mothers can be transferred to babies in the womb and in breast milk. We don’t yet know how well those antibodies protect infants against SARS-CoV-2 infection, or whether vaccinating mothers reduces the risk of infection in babies.
We want to know whether maternal Covid-19 immunity, from either vaccination or prior infection, can reduce the risk to babies. To answer these questions we will undertake two studies.
Study 1 will include all babies born in Scotland between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. Using routinely collected NHS data, we will determine whether maternal vaccination, or prior maternal covid-19 infection, reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first year of life. We will also look at other factors which might change the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection including gestation, maternal age, ethnicity, deprivation, and urban/rural location.
Study 2 will identify a sub-group of infants born within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Using left-over blood left from antenatal screening, we will measure maternal Covid-19 antibody levels. We will compare 500 cases (infants with SARS-CoV2 infection) and 1000 controls (infants without confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection) to determine whether the presence of maternal Covid-19 antibodies is associated with reduced risk of infection in infants.
Data will be managed within NHS Safe Haven to ensure privacy. Data will be used without consent, with approval by ethics and privacy committees.
These studies will help us understand how maternal covid-19 immunity can help protect infants. This will help us plan vaccine programmes, predict how many babies might be infected, and help inform vaccine choices for women in Scotland and elsewhere.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
23/WS/0126
Date of REC Opinion
8 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion