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A study, published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, looked at mothers with COVID-19 and their babies.
Prof Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health, University of Oxford, said:
“UK guidance recommends that mothers with COVID-19 are not separated from their babies and breastfeeding is encouraged because of its many known benefits. More than 1000 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection have given birth in the UK and only 1-2% of their babies have had a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. Infection does not appear to cause severe illness in these babies. This small US study also indicates that transmission of infection from mother to baby is uncommon with simple precautions such as the wearing of face masks by mums with COVID-19. This provides further reassurance to women and supports current recommendations that mothers with COVID-19 can safely remain with their babies and breastfeed.”
‘Neonatal management and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observation cohort study’ by Christine M Salvatore et al. was published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health at 23:30 UK time on Thursday 23 July 2020.
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30235-2
Declared interests
Prof Marian Knight: “I lead UK national surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy.”