David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been invited to join an expert group of the Departments of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SHR) and Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing (MCA) at the World Health Organization (WHO) to review evidence on mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and to create a consensus case definition.

Dr. Kimberlin joins a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, virologist and experts on mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases. The group will work with the WHO to examine and interpret the evidence and develop case definitions on mother-to-child transmission. They will also assist with identifying gaps and formulating recommendations for research and reporting of mother-to-child of SARS-CoV-2.

“I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this important effort being coordinated by the World Health Organization,” said Dr. Kimberlin. “In order to better understand how common or infrequent mother-to-child transmission happens, we first have to settle on a case definition. It is a privilege to work with the WHO and the other experts to help reach that goal.”