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Breastfeeding and COVID-19

Norma Del C Galindo-Sevilla1, Nilson A Contreras-Carreto2,3, Araceli Rojas-Bernabé2,3

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología.

Gaceta Medica De Mexico
|July 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic is safe, with no evidence of virus transmission through breast milk. Breastfeeding may even improve the clinical outcome for infants with COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Lactation Science

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare, including breastfeeding support and practices.
  • Concerns exist regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission via breast milk and mother-infant separation due to contagion fears.
  • Current evidence does not support vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through breast milk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address concerns about breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through breast milk.
  • To assess the impact of breastfeeding on infants with COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature and evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 and breastfeeding.
  • Analysis of reported cases of mother-to-child transmission.
  • Evaluation of clinical outcomes in breastfed infants with COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • Active SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in breast milk.
  • No evidence of vertical transmission from mother to infant has been found.
  • The risk of horizontal transmission to infants is comparable to the general population.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding is considered safe for mothers with or without COVID-19.
  • Breastfeeding does not appear to pose a significant risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
  • Breastfeeding may offer protective benefits and improve the clinical course of COVID-19 in infants.

Keywords:
BreastfeedingCOVID-19Lactancia maternaNewbornRecién nacido

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