what is the real risk to babies?

Jessie Cave (Harry Potter) announced on Instagram that her 3-month-old son has contracted Covid-19. The subject of the virus in newborns is recurrent in the media but rather vague for young parents, concerned. The doctor Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo, enlightens us on the question.

More and more cases of Covid-19 in babies and newborns are emerging. We saw a few days ago that an infant of only 18 days had contracted the virus, today it is an infected 3 month old baby who is making the headlines.

It is actress Jessie Cave, who plays Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter saga, who shares her baby's illness.

A complicated start to life

Last October, the 33-year-old actress gave birth to her third child. It seems that her delivery was complicated given her Instagram post on the subject. “It was a very different experience from my first two births … much more humiliating, terrifying and out of my control”, She wrote.

A few months later, it's back to the hospital for her baby. He has tested positive for Covid-19, as England – the country where Jessie Cave and her family live – welcomes a new strain of the virus. Don't panic, nothing serious it seems! “He is fine and doing well, but they are vigilant and careful, fortunately”, Reassured Jessie on Instagram.





While some doctors said that babies had little or no virus, the news proves the opposite. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, medical director of Doctissimo and author of Coronavirus, how to protect yourself from it? (Ed. Archipoche 2020), has agreed to answer our questions on this very worrying subject.

Covid-19 in babies: what real risks?

Gérald Kierzek assures us that babies can indeed be affected by the virus. According to him, no study has proven otherwise. He immediately reassures by saying that infant mortality is extremely low or nonexistent, although some cases have been identified, especially in the United States. He assures us that “lBabies do not develop severe forms of Covid-19 in the majority of cases”. So do not panic.

Can a baby get the virus if its mother was infected during pregnancy?

Theoretically, the child is protected from the virus thanks to the antibodies transmitted by the mother ", explains the doctor. However, it is possible that a baby can contract it despite this. This virus is very clever, and still has many surprises in store for us!

Gérald Kierzek also insists that a mother cannot transmit the virus to her child during pregnancy: "Covid-19 does not cross the maternal fetal barrier, the placenta has protective properties against the virus ”.

So no need to panic, there are no outbreaks of infections in infants and those who test positive for Covid do not usually develop serious complications. Phew, parents can be reassured, while remaining vigilant.