Literature Review of Mothers Diagnosed With COVID-19 and the Impact on Breastfeeding Their Newborns.
Stacey A Warner, Jessica L Arevalo
PMID 35551888WHAT IT FOUND
Among 3,872 breastfed newborns born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19, 2.35% tested positive, mostly asymptomatic, and all recovered.
The review cannot show breastfeeding caused infection.
Key findings
01Of 3,872 breastfed newborns born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19, 2.35% tested positive; most were asymptomatic and all recovered.
02In 10 US studies, 59% of 877 mothers breastfed, and 3.29% of 516 breastfed newborns tested positive; one had severe symptoms, and none died.
03US studies reported that mothers who used masks, handwashing, and breast washing before breastfeeding did not transmit COVID-19 to their neonates.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
All included studies were low-quality observational studies or case series, so they cannot establish that breastfeeding caused or prevented infection. The review had to discuss counts of breastfed newborns and infected newborns across studies. Samples were small and lacked diversity. Protocols and information about COVID-19 were changing during the study period. The search excluded foreign-language studies, reviews, guidelines, some case reports, and studies that separated mother and newborn.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that direct breastfeeding is proven safe or that masks, handwashing, and breast washing prevent transmission. The included studies are low-quality observational reports, and they cannot separate the effect of breastfeeding from infection-control practices or other care.