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Peer-reviewedCC BYVaccine: X

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination during pregnancy confers higher anti-RSV IgG concentration in neonatal cord than maternal blood

  • Szymon Bednarek1
  • Małgorzata Świątkowska-Freund2
  • Grażyna Misiak3
  1. 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology of The Provincial Hospital named after L. Rydygier in Toruń, Poland; Corresponding author.
  2. 2Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology of The Provincial Hospital named after L. Rydygier in Toruń, Poland; Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences, Elbląg, Poland
  3. 3Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology of The Provincial Hospital named after L. Rydygier in Toruń, Poland
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Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects nearly all children under 2 years of age and poses a significant risk, particularly for infants younger than 6 months. Since 2025, pregnant women in Poland have been eligible for free vaccination against RSV. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of anti-RSV IgG antibodies (types A and B) in vaccinated pregnant women at delivery and in umbilical cord blood of their newborns. Anti-RSV IgG levels were measured using the ELISA method in 304 paired maternal and cord blood samples. Vaccination was administered at 27 to 39 weeks of gestation (mean = 32 weeks). Significantly higher concentrations of IgG antibodies were observed in newborns compared to their mothers ( p < 0.0001), with no association with neonatal sex ( p = 0.41). No correlation was found between the interval from maternal vaccination to delivery and antibody levels in either maternal or cord blood. A history of RSV infection in older children did not result in a statistically significant increase in anti-RSV IgG levels in either mothers or newborns. Conclusions: Maternal RSV vaccination, optimally administered during the third trimester, provides effective passive immunity to the newborn through active transplacental antibody transfer. Vaccination should be recommended during each subsequent pregnancy.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{bednarek2026respiratory,
  title = {{Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination during pregnancy confers higher anti-RSV IgG concentration in neonatal cord than maternal blood}},
  author = {Szymon Bednarek and Małgorzata Świątkowska-Freund and Grażyna Misiak},
  journal = {Vaccine: X},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100923},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100923},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination during pregnancy confers higher anti-RSV IgG concentration in neonatal cord than maternal blood
AU  - Szymon Bednarek
AU  - Małgorzata Świątkowska-Freund
AU  - Grażyna Misiak
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/30
JO  - Vaccine: X
DO  - 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100923
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100923
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects nearly all children under 2 years of age and poses a significant risk, particularly for infants younger than 6 months. Since 2025, pregnant women in Poland have been eligible for free vaccination against RSV. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of anti-RSV IgG antibodies (types A and B) in vaccinated pregnant women at delivery and in umbilical cord blood of their newborns. Anti-RSV IgG levels were measured using the ELISA method in 304 paired maternal and cord blood samples. Vaccination was administered at 27 to 39 weeks of gestation (mean = 32 weeks). Significantly higher concentrations of IgG antibodies were observed in newborns compared to their mothers ( p < 0.0001), with no association with neonatal sex ( p = 0.41). No correlation was found between the interval from maternal vaccination to delivery and antibody levels in either maternal or cord blood. A history of RSV infection in older children did not result in a statistically significant increase in anti-RSV IgG levels in either mothers or newborns. Conclusions: Maternal RSV vaccination, optimally administered during the third trimester, provides effective passive immunity to the newborn through active transplacental antibody transfer. Vaccination should be recommended during each subsequent pregnancy.
SN  - 2590-1362
ER  -