transmission of coronavirus Transmission from mother to child before, during and after childbirth is quite possible, but such cases are rare, recent studies have shown. However, women are more likely to have transmission when they are severe. COVID-19 Or the baby was diagnosed after birth, the researchers said, adding that “less than 2% of babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection also test positive for the virus”.
He also said that vaccination during pregnancy should be further encouraged to prevent infection and serious illness in mothers.
The team, led by researchers from the University of Birmingham in the UK, also found that vaginal birth and breast-feeding did not increase the chances of babies testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 when their mothers had the infection.
The study examined data from around the world relating to more than 14,000 babies born to mothers with COVID-19.
Overall, 1.8% of the 14,271 babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection tested positive for the virus using PCR tests, the researchers said.
Study lead Shakeela Thangratinam said, “Ours is the first study to use stringent World Health Organization methods to show that the virus can be transmitted from mother to child in the womb, during childbirth and after delivery. ” A professor at the University of Birmingham.
“However, parents and healthcare professionals can be reassured that there is a very small proportion of babies born to mothers who test positive for SARS-CoV-2. This means that the risk of infection to such babies is rare,” Thangaratinam said.
The researchers noted that mothers should also be reassured about the low risk of viral transmission through vaginal birth, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding, all of which should be encouraged.
He added that healthcare professionals and policy makers should be aware of the expected burden of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in infants.
According to the researchers, the risk of infection at any time during pregnancy and delivery highlights the need for appropriate measures to reduce the risk of viral transmission in the postpartum period.
The team recommends that since babies born to mothers with severe SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to test positive, they will need to be tested and closely monitored after birth.
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