The major concern these days for mothers with breastfeeding infants is breastfeeding in case of contracting COVID-19. Pezeshkbook discusses the possibility of coronavirus transmission from a COVID-19 positive mother to her infant or young child through breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Exclusively with Mother’s Milk
Breastfeeding is fundamental for the nutrition, growth, and survival of infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding with mother’s milk during the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years and beyond.
However, concerns have been raised about the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) from a COVID-19 positive mother to her infant or young child through breastfeeding. Despite the numerous recommendations and benefits of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding with mother’s milk, a comprehensive review of potential infection risks, the consequences of not breastfeeding, the misuse of formula milk, and the protective effects of skin-to-skin contact (as one of the advantages of breastfeeding) is necessary.
Nonetheless, the World Health Organization continues to recommend that suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive mothers proceed with breastfeeding, given that the significant benefits outweigh potential risks.
Findings on Breastfeeding by COVID-19 Positive Mothers
Studies on 46 mothers, their infants, and breast milk samples were conducted. All the mothers were COVID-19 positive, and only 13 of their infants tested positive for COVID-19. Breast milk samples from 43 mothers tested negative for the virus, while only three samples showed fragments of other viral RNA. Among the three infants whose mothers’ milk contained viral RNA fragments (not live virus), one infant tested positive for COVID-19. However, feeding conditions were not reported. The other two infants tested negative for COVID-19; one was breastfed, and the other was fed breast milk after no viral RNA fragments were detected. For the only infant testing positive for COVID-19, the source of infection (through breast milk or exposure to maternal secretions due to close contact) could not be determined.
"COVID-19 does not appear to pose a serious health threat to infants and young children. However, given the disruptions and limitations in healthcare services during the current pandemic, preventive measures and infection control are crucial to prevent virus transmission through close contact between suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive mothers and their infants."
Pezeshkbook Recommends Continuing Breastfeeding with Mother’s Milk
Based on current findings, there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether COVID-19 can be transmitted through breastfeeding. However, the risk of COVID-19 infection in infants is low, with infections generally being mild or asymptomatic. The consequences of not breastfeeding and separating mother and child can be significant.
At this stage, COVID-19 does not appear to pose a greater threat to infants and children than other infections against which breastfeeding provides protection. Nevertheless, given the disruptions in healthcare and other services during the pandemic, preventive measures and infection control are essential to avoid transmission between suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive mothers and their infants.
One of the goals of the Health Magazine Pezeshkbook is to raise public health awareness through education and providing information, especially to those who are vulnerable and at greater health risks.
"This time, by not shaking hands, we will defeat COVID-19."
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