Study limitation.
The asymptomatic prevalence study was implemented nine weeks after the
first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in Ireland
(March 1st 2020) and 16 days after the peak of the
population infection (33). Our study commenced as the rate of new cases
of infection was already falling and therefore may account, in part, for
the low prevalence of PCR positive cases in this cohort. However, the
low antibody prevalence in our study correlates with other large
population-based studies and suggests that even at this stage of the
pandemic, the vast majority of the pregnant population remains
immunologically naïve.
Five seropositive patients delivered during this study period. Further
analysis of the transplacental passage of antibodies in umbilical cord
blood from additional women, will provide further credence to our
findings and is required to assist in counselling pregnant women and
directing future vaccination strategies.