tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
New Microbes New Infect
. 2020 Sep 1;100752.
doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100752. Online ahead of print.
Clinical and immunological features among COVID-19 affected mother-infant pairs: antibodies to SARS- CoV- 2 detected in breast milk
Xuan Gao[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Shaoshuai Wang[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Wanjiang Zeng[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Suhua Chen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jianli Wu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Xingguang Lin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Yanyan Liu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ziyong Sun[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ling Feng[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain threatening to women and children, while clinical evidences regarding women during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation periods are limited.
Objective: We aim to discuss clinical, immunological features and breast feeding advices among mother-infant pairs.
Study design: This observational analysis was conducted in a tertiary center located in Wuhan, China. Pregnant patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 who delivered during hospitalization were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and serial specimens of the mother-infant pairs were examined, supplemented with follow-ups regarding recovery and breast feeding.
Results: 14 pregnant patients had live birth and achieved good recovery, four patients continued breast feeding with precautions, no neonatal infection was found. No infants observed developed COVID-19 during breastfeeding. Common maternal symptoms were fever (11/14, 78.1%) and cough (6/14, 42.9%), a pregnancy specific symptom was abnormal fetal movement, noticed in three (21.4%) patients. The mean viral shedding time was nine days (SD 6, range 1-22), SARS- CoV- 2 genome was non-detected in breast milk or maternal vaginal secretions. Immunological assay showed seroconversion of IgM on day eight of onset, IgG on day 28. Both IgM and IgM antibodies to SARS- CoV- 2 are detected in breast milk, cord blood and neonatal serum.
Conclusion: The study suggested passive acquisition of antibody against SARS- CoV- 2 through breast milk ingestion. Breast feeding role is low risk in transmission of SARS- CoV- 2 or cause maternal disease escalation, continue breast feeding with prudent precautions is encouraged.
Keywords: Breast feeding; COVID-19; Infectious disease; Lactation period; Passive immunity; Pregnancy.
. 2020 Sep 1;100752.
doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100752. Online ahead of print.
Clinical and immunological features among COVID-19 affected mother-infant pairs: antibodies to SARS- CoV- 2 detected in breast milk
Xuan Gao[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Shaoshuai Wang[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Wanjiang Zeng[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Suhua Chen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jianli Wu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Xingguang Lin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Yanyan Liu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ziyong Sun[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ling Feng[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32904990
- PMCID: PMC7462625
- DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100752
Abstract
Background: The pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain threatening to women and children, while clinical evidences regarding women during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation periods are limited.
Objective: We aim to discuss clinical, immunological features and breast feeding advices among mother-infant pairs.
Study design: This observational analysis was conducted in a tertiary center located in Wuhan, China. Pregnant patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 who delivered during hospitalization were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and serial specimens of the mother-infant pairs were examined, supplemented with follow-ups regarding recovery and breast feeding.
Results: 14 pregnant patients had live birth and achieved good recovery, four patients continued breast feeding with precautions, no neonatal infection was found. No infants observed developed COVID-19 during breastfeeding. Common maternal symptoms were fever (11/14, 78.1%) and cough (6/14, 42.9%), a pregnancy specific symptom was abnormal fetal movement, noticed in three (21.4%) patients. The mean viral shedding time was nine days (SD 6, range 1-22), SARS- CoV- 2 genome was non-detected in breast milk or maternal vaginal secretions. Immunological assay showed seroconversion of IgM on day eight of onset, IgG on day 28. Both IgM and IgM antibodies to SARS- CoV- 2 are detected in breast milk, cord blood and neonatal serum.
Conclusion: The study suggested passive acquisition of antibody against SARS- CoV- 2 through breast milk ingestion. Breast feeding role is low risk in transmission of SARS- CoV- 2 or cause maternal disease escalation, continue breast feeding with prudent precautions is encouraged.
Keywords: Breast feeding; COVID-19; Infectious disease; Lactation period; Passive immunity; Pregnancy.