Is SARS-CoV-2 Transmitted Through Breastfeeding?

There are concerns regarding the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from mother to child during this COVID pandemic. This descriptive study was done to check the possible transmission of the virus through breastfeeding in the Indian context. RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 was done in breast milk samples from 30 COVID-positive mothers. Paired oropharyngeal swabs of the same neonates were also sent for RT-PCR at 48 h and on day 5 of life. All the breast milk samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 except one. A repeat sample of breast milk from the same mother was also negative when rechecked the next day. All the paired neonatal oropharyngeal swabs were also negative for SARS-CoV-2. The authors could not find evidence for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to child through breastmilk in the population studied.

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is vital for survival of neonates. However, there are concerns regarding the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from mother to child through breast milk. Viral RNA detection in breast milk samples from few women infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported [1-3]. Evidence is emerging supporting breastfeeding but there is paucity of Indian data in this area. This study was done to check the possible transmission of the virus through breastfeeding in the Indian context.

Methods

This descriptive study was done in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India after due approval from the Institute Ethics Committee (JIP/IEC/2020/061). Mothers admitted for delivery were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of throat swabs. After due informed consent, breast milk samples from 30 COVID-positive mothers admitted consecutively were collected between 48 to 72 h following delivery. The milk samples were collected by manual expression using aseptic techniques. Detection of viral loads using RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 in whole breast milk was done using WHO recommended primer probe sequence for SARS-CoV-2 Orf1b gene followed by confirmation with SD biosensor RT-PCR for RdRp and E gene. Paired oropharyngeal swabs of the same neonates were also sent for RT-PCR at 48 h and on day 5 of life. The mother-baby dyads were kept together and mothers exclusively breastfed their babies. Use of masks, appropriate hand hygiene and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces were practiced by the mothers. The healthy mother-baby dyads were discharged after 10 d.

Results

There were 3198 deliveries in the hospital from April to August, 2020. COVID positivity among delivering mothers was 0.14%, 3.3%, and 7.8% during the months of June, July, and August, respectively. All the breast milk samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 except 1. A repeat sample of breastmilk from the same mother was also negative when rechecked the next day. All the paired neonatal oropharyngeal swabs were also negative for SARS-CoV-2. No clinical manifestations of COVID was noted among the neonates.

Discussion

Though the COVID positivity among delivering mothers increased proportionate to that of the general population, their neonates were not affected. Moreover, the authors could not find evidence for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to child through breast milk in the population studied. Even the odd breast milk sample which was initially positive could be due to contamination or just evidence of nonreplicating virus. Recent studies from Wuhan, China have also shown similar findings [4, 5]. These results are reassuring and all postnatal mothers irrespective of their COVID status should be encouraged to exclusively breastfeed their babies and follow general safety precautions. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2-reactive antibodies in breast milk may also provide passive immunity to breastfed infants and protect them against COVID-19 [6].