ABSTRACT
Background. Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, most neonatal units around the world have restricted parents’ access, aiming to protect the staff and the babies against the infection. Objective. To evaluate the side effects of the limitation of parents presence with their babies in neonatal units and those related to restrictions on maternity wards access. Method. Literature review. A search using ‘SARS-CoV-2’ and ‘COVID-19’ as keywords combined to ‘neonatal’, ‘NICU’, ‘parents’, ‘family centered care’ and ‘neurodevelopmental care’. Consultation of websites containing updated and summarized scientific literature about the pandemic and its consequences in newborns has also been performed: www.dontforgetthebubles.com and www.seneo.es. The voice of the families has been mainly obtained through the websites of their associations and the social networks. Results. The family-centered care model has shown positive effects on the health of sick newborns and on premature infants’ neurodevelopment. This model of care is under threat if parental access is limited. It has been shown that these restrictions have also adverse effects on breastfeeding and on caregivers’ psychological wellbeing. Data from different neonatal series report a benign course of COVID-19 infection in neonates and preterm babies. Conclusions. At a crucial moment for the implementation of the developmental centered care model in Catalan neonatal units, and with the available data, it is essential to redesign the policies regarding parents who accompany their babies admitted to the units.