Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic: what do we know so far?
Taison Regis Penariol Natarelli1, Heloisa Gasparini Marigheti Brassarola1, Luciana Mara Monti Fonseca1
1Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
This study aimed to conduct a literature review on safety in breastfeeding in mothers with COVID-19. An integrative review of national and international literature was carried out.
Methods:
The search took place in the SciELO, LILACS and MEDLINE® databases.
Results:
A total of 25 scientific articles that specifically addressed the theme of breastfeeding and its risk and protective factors for infection by SARS-CoV-2 were selected. According to the studies analyzed, although the presence of viral RNA had already been detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in breast milk samples, there are still no proven cases of vertical transmission via human milk.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding appears to be safe if practiced according to precaution measures recommended by the World Health Organization. In addition, there is evidence of a potential for immunological protection by transfer of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk. Breastfeeding should continue to be promoted even in cases of mothers with clinical suspicion or confirmation of COVID-19, as well as the provision of expressed breast milk in cases where there is no possibility of direct breastfeeding.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
00:55Parental Care
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...