Many Da Nang Newspaper readers have wondered whether or not pregnant women can pass COVID-19 to their unborn children and how to ensure safe breastfeeding during the coronavirus wave.
Below are trustworthy answers based on guidance offered by prestigious domestic and international medical agencies.

There is NO scientific basis on mother-to-child transmission of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Photo: K.QUYEN

* Is COVID-19 transmitted from the mother to the unborn child during pregnancy?

In Decision No. 1271/QD-BYT dated March 21, 2020 adopted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health promulgating temporary guidelines for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 for pregnant women and infants. According to experts, for the time being there is NO scientific basis which confirms that the fetus is capable of contracting SARS-COV-2 through the placenta during pregnancy.

To date, the COVID-19 virus has not been found in vaginal fluid, in cord blood, breastmilk, amniotic fluid or the placenta. Research is still ongoing.

Also, tests of throat swabs from babies born to mothers infected with COVID-19 have also turned negative for this virus till date.

Pregnant women should continue to follow appropriate precautions to protect themselves from exposure to the virus, and seek medical care early, if experiencing symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing.

* If the mother has symptoms of suspected COVID-19 infection, should she continue to breastfeed?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Viet Nam, at present, there is no evidence to date that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through breastfeeding.

Breastmilk provides antibodies that protect babies against many infections. Breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of death in newborns and young infants, provides lifelong health benefits for children, and improves the health of mothers as well.

Therefore, if the mother shows symptoms of suspected COVID-19 infection, she should continue to breastfeed in combination with the strict compliance with the following preventive measures:

a) Wash hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before touching children.

b) Wear a medical mask whenever in contact with the child, including while breastfeeding.

c) Sneeze or cough into a tissue, then discard it immediately and wash hands again.

d) Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that the mother has touched.

e) Replace face masks as soon as they become damp with a new clean, dry ones, and immediately place them into a trash can with a lid.

f) Discard single -use masks after each use, dispose of them immediately upon removal, and be careful not to touch the front of the masks

Reporting by K.QUYEN – Translating by A.T