Breastfed 13 month-old infant of a mother with COVID-19 pneumonia: a case report

• Main Authors: Yuanyuan Yu (Author), Youjiang Li (Author), Yingying Hu (Author), Bin Li (Author), Jian Xu (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2020-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s13006-020-00305-9; 1746-4358
• Keywords: COVID-19 pneumonia; SARS-CoV-2; Breastfeeding; Pediatrics; RJ1-570; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: International Breastfeeding Journal, Vol 15, Iss 1, Pp 1-6 (2020)

Abstract Background In China, mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 pneumonia are recommended to stop breastfeeding. However, the evidence to support this guidance is lacking. There have been relatively few cases reported about direct breastfeeding an infant by a mother with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the safety of breastfeeding and the possible protective effects of breast milk on infants. Case presentation This report analyzes the case of a mother who continued breastfeeding her 13 month-old child when both were diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. We describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was determined in maternal serum, breast milk, nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and feces, and in infant serum, NP swabs and feces. IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were assessed in maternal serum and breast milk and in infant serum. SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was not detected in the breast milk, and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in the mother's serum and milk. Conclusions The present case further confirms that the possibility of mother-to-child transmission about SARS-CoV-2 via breast milk alone was very small, and breast milk is safe for direct feeding of infants.