Shlomai N.O. et al conducted a study 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. They also evaluated breastfeeding rates predischarge and postdischarge.

They separated the SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers from the newborns and screened Newborns within 48 hours of delivery, followed by Rescreening ≥14 days post-discharge. 

They observed that-

All neonates tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 postdelivery. 

• 74.5% of the neonates fed on unpasteurized expressed breast milk during the postpartum separation until discharge.
• 89% of the neonates got discharged from the hospital following mothers receiving instructions in anti-infection measures.
• 40% of the households reported additional SARS-CoV-2–positive residents.
• 85% of the newborns received breastfed post-discharge.
• All 60% of the newborns retested for SARS-CoV-2 postdischarge were reported negative.

Highlights-

• Unpasteurized breast milk from SARS-CoV-2 positive mother does not cause viral infection in newborn.
• Breastfeeding on SARS-CoV-2 positive mother does not cause viral infection in newborn.
• Breast milk from SARS-CoV-2 positive mother is safe for the newborn.

Source: Shlomai NO, Kasirer Y, Strauss T, Smolkin T, Marom R, Shinwell ES, Simmonds A, et al. Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Breastfeeding Mothers, Pediatrics, 2021;147(5): e2020010918. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-010918