Mothers with COVID-19 Infection Unlikely to Pass Virus to Their Newborn Babies: Study
Mothers with COVID-19 infection are unlikely to pass the virus to their newborn babies, if correct hygiene precautions are observed, according to an observational study.
The study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, involved 120 babies born to mothers with COVID-19 infection and found no cases of transmission of the virus during childbirth or after two weeks of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact.
The findings suggest that mothers with COVID-19 infection can breastfeed and stay in the same room as their newborn safely, if they use appropriate face coverings and follow infection control procedures.
The World Health Organisation and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists emphasised that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh potential risks of COVID-19 transmission. The latest study observed outcomes from 120 babies born to 116 mothers at 3 hospitals in New York City, USA, between 22 March and 17 May 2020. All of the babies were allowed to share a room with their mothers and breastfeed, if their mothers were well enough. The babies were kept in enclosed cribs, six feet apart, except during feeding. Mothers were required to wear surgical masks while handling their babies and followed frequent hand and breast washing procedures.
53 babies underwent a remote check up by video conferencing after one month of life. All of them continued to be clinically well and were growing appropriately.
The study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, involved 120 babies born to mothers with COVID-19 infection and found no cases of transmission of the virus during childbirth or after two weeks of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact.
The findings suggest that mothers with COVID-19 infection can breastfeed and stay in the same room as their newborn safely, if they use appropriate face coverings and follow infection control procedures.
The World Health Organisation and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists emphasised that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh potential risks of COVID-19 transmission. The latest study observed outcomes from 120 babies born to 116 mothers at 3 hospitals in New York City, USA, between 22 March and 17 May 2020. All of the babies were allowed to share a room with their mothers and breastfeed, if their mothers were well enough. The babies were kept in enclosed cribs, six feet apart, except during feeding. Mothers were required to wear surgical masks while handling their babies and followed frequent hand and breast washing procedures.
53 babies underwent a remote check up by video conferencing after one month of life. All of them continued to be clinically well and were growing appropriately.
Latest Videos