TY - JOUR
T1 - Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections in breastfeeding mothers
AU - Shlomai, Noa Ofek
AU - Kasirer, Yair
AU - Strauss, Tzipora
AU - Smolkin, Tatiana
AU - Marom, Ronella
AU - Shinwell, Eric S.
AU - Simmonds, Arye
AU - Golan, Agneta
AU - Morag, Iris
AU - Waisman, Dan
AU - Felszer-Fisch, Clari
AU - Wolf, Dana G.
AU - Eventov-Friedman, Smadar
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
PY - 2021/5/1
Y1 - 2021/5/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To assess infection rates predischarge and postdischarge in breast milk-fed newborns with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive mothers who were separated postdelivery from their mothers and discharged from the hospital. Also, we aim to evaluate breastfeeding rates predischarge and postdischarge. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 were obtained from symptomatic and highrisk women in the delivery room. Mothers with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results were separated from the newborns. Newborns were screened within 48 hours of delivery, and antiinfectious guidelines were imparted to the mothers before discharge. Rescreening took place ≥14 days postdischarge. Data regarding SARS-CoV-2-positive household members and breastfeeding were obtained by follow-up phone calls. RESULTS: A total of 73 newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were born in Israel during the ∼3-month period under study. Overall, 55 participated in this study. All neonates tested negative for the virus postdelivery. A total 74.5% of the neonates were fed unpasteurized expressed breast milk during the postpartum separation until discharge. Eighty-nine percent of the neonates were discharged from the hospital after their mothers were instructed in antiinfection measures. In 40% of the households, there were additional SARS-CoV-2-positive residents. A total of 85% of the newborns were breastfed postdischarge. Results for all 60% of the newborns retested for SARS-CoV-2 postdischarge were negative. CONCLUSIONS: No viral infection was identified in neonates born to and separated from their SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers at birth and subsequently fed unpasteurized breast milk. All infants breastfed at home remained SARS-CoV-2 negative. These findings may provide insights regarding the redundancy of postpartum mother-newborn separation in SARS-CoV-2-positive women and, assuming precautions are adhered to, support the safety of breast milk.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess infection rates predischarge and postdischarge in breast milk-fed newborns with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive mothers who were separated postdelivery from their mothers and discharged from the hospital. Also, we aim to evaluate breastfeeding rates predischarge and postdischarge. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 were obtained from symptomatic and highrisk women in the delivery room. Mothers with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results were separated from the newborns. Newborns were screened within 48 hours of delivery, and antiinfectious guidelines were imparted to the mothers before discharge. Rescreening took place ≥14 days postdischarge. Data regarding SARS-CoV-2-positive household members and breastfeeding were obtained by follow-up phone calls. RESULTS: A total of 73 newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were born in Israel during the ∼3-month period under study. Overall, 55 participated in this study. All neonates tested negative for the virus postdelivery. A total 74.5% of the neonates were fed unpasteurized expressed breast milk during the postpartum separation until discharge. Eighty-nine percent of the neonates were discharged from the hospital after their mothers were instructed in antiinfection measures. In 40% of the households, there were additional SARS-CoV-2-positive residents. A total of 85% of the newborns were breastfed postdischarge. Results for all 60% of the newborns retested for SARS-CoV-2 postdischarge were negative. CONCLUSIONS: No viral infection was identified in neonates born to and separated from their SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers at birth and subsequently fed unpasteurized breast milk. All infants breastfed at home remained SARS-CoV-2 negative. These findings may provide insights regarding the redundancy of postpartum mother-newborn separation in SARS-CoV-2-positive women and, assuming precautions are adhered to, support the safety of breast milk.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85105278508&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1542/peds.2020-010918
DO - 10.1542/peds.2020-010918
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C2 - 33850028
AN - SCOPUS:85105278508
SN - 0031-4005
VL - 147
JO - Pediatrics
JF - Pediatrics
IS - 5
M1 - e2020010918
ER -