Noa Ofek Shlomai1, Yair Kasirer2, Tzipora Strauss3, Tatiana Smolkin4, Ronella Marom5, Eric S Shinwell6, Arye Simmonds7, Agneta Golan8, Iris Morag9, Dan Waisman10, Clari Felszer-Fisch11, Dana G Wolf12, Smadar Eventov-Friedman13. 1. Department of Neonatology and noaofek@hadassah.org.il. 2. Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. 3. Albert Katz Department of Neonatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. 4. Department of Intensive Care in Premature Infants and Newborns, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel. 5. Department of Neonatology, Lis Maternity Center, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. 6. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ziv Medical Center and Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel. 7. Department of Neonatology, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel. 8. Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel. 9. Division of Pediatrics, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. 10. Division of Obstetrics and Newborn Medicine, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; and. 11. Department of Neonates, Ha'emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. 12. Clinical Virology Unit, Medical Center, Hadassah and Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. 13. Department of Neonatology and.
Abstract
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 high-risk 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 anti-infectious 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 anti-infection 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.
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 high-risk 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 anti-infectious 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 anti-infection 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.
Authors: L Ryan; Frans B Plötz; Agnes van den Hoogen; Jos M Latour; Marina Degtyareva; Maya Keuning; Claus Klingenberg; Irwin K M Reiss; Eric Giannoni; Charles Roehr; Christopher Gale; Eleanor J Molloy Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2021-12-28 Impact factor: 3.953
Authors: Margaret H Kyle; Maha Hussain; Victoria Saltz; Isabelle Mollicone; Mary Bence; Dani Dumitriu Journal: Clin Obstet Gynecol Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 2.190