This information is key as hospitals navigate evolving protocols for how an infected parent can safely interact with their baby after giving birth.
The Study
Researchers studied over 2300 babies born to SARS-COV-2 positive mothers in Sweden, with observation taking place during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 until January 2021. They found that less than 1% of babies tested positive for the virus within their first 28 days of life. The majority of that small number didn’t display any symptoms, providing proof of the low risk of infection from mom to baby. The report echoes other findings, including a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Noted Drawbacks
The latest Swedish study is encouraging for new parents wanting to snuggle their newborns, but not without drawbacks. “They have a very homogenous population and very uniform access to healthcare. In (the United States), we see diversity in genetic makeup and background. There are also disparities. Health care resources are not equal,” says Saima Aftab, MD, FAAP, chief of neonatology at Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists and vice president, organizational initiatives, Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “When you have a pandemic, it does not affect everyone equally and people don’t respond equally.” Still, the research could provide an emotional cushion to parents who are fear passing on the virus. “I think these findings could put a lot of moms at ease,” says Sonya Brown, RN, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse. “It could definitely reduce the stress of worrying about the baby being impacted by COVID.”
Protection Starts in the Womb
When a fetus is in the womb, they are surrounded by protective fluid that helps keep harmful toxins at bay. “The concentration (of COVID) is very low in the amniotic fluid. The placenta that creates amniotic fluid creates a nice barrier from the virus,” explains Aftab. “The virus can travel into the fluid, but not a lot, and not very effectively, and not enough to make babies sick.” “One important role of the placenta is to provide nutrition to the baby. It also helps protect the baby from infections,” explains Brown. “If a mom gets COVID, the mom’s antibodies cross the placenta to the baby. That helps protect the baby in utero and after it is delivered.”
Taking Precautions
The study mentions that parents can nurse their babies without endangering their health. It also states that babies do not need to be routinely separated from their mothers at birth. However, Aftab cautions that it is still important for a new parent overcoming COVID-19 to exercise care. “Nowhere in this study did they say that the population let their guard down completely,” she emphasizes. Wearing masks and hand washing may still be necessary protective measures. Parents can also take steps to help themselves and their babies prior to delivery. “The mom should try to enhance her immune system,” Brown advises. Attending doctor’s appointments, continuing prenatal care, and taking vitamins and supplements can help strengthen pregnant people and prepare the for delivery.
Remaining Hopeful
Knowing that a parent has little risk of passing COVID-19 on to their newborn child is helpful and reassuring. The study of Swedish mothers laid a foundation; now additional research needs to be done to test different ethnicities in the United States. Aftab advises, “we need to make sure we can see what parts of the study and information are translatable. We want to remain cautiously optimistic.” The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
