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1.
PLoS One ; 18(6): e0287103, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20241956

ABSTRACT

Maternal COVID-19 vaccination could protect infants who are ineligible for vaccine through antibody transfer during pregnancy and lactation. We measured the quantity and durability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human milk and infant blood before and after maternal booster vaccination. Prospective cohort of lactating women immunized with primary and booster COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy or lactation and their infants. Milk and blood samples from October 2021 to April 2022 were included. Anti-nucleoprotein (NP) and anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG and IgA in maternal milk and maternal and infant blood were measured and compared longitudinally after maternal booster vaccine. Forty-five lactating women and their infants provided samples. 58% of women were anti-NP negative and 42% were positive on their first blood sample prior to booster vaccine. Anti-RBD IgG and IgA in milk remained significantly increased through 120-170 days after booster vaccine and did not differ by maternal NP status. Anti-RBD IgG and IgA did not increase in infant blood after maternal booster. Of infants born to women vaccinated in pregnancy, 74% still had positive serum anti-RBD IgG measured on average 5 months after delivery. Infant to maternal IgG ratio was highest for infants exposed to maternal primary vaccine during the second trimester compared to third trimester (0.85 versus 0.29; p<0.001). Maternal COVID-19 primary and booster vaccine resulted in robust and long-lasting transplacental and milk antibodies. These antibodies may provide important protection against SARS-CoV-2 during the first six months of life.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Milk, Human , Infant , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , SARS-CoV-2 , Lactation , Prospective Studies , COVID-19/prevention & control , Vaccination , Antibodies, Viral , Immunoglobulin A , Immunoglobulin G
2.
Rev Soc Bras Med Trop ; 56: e0044, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20240216

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Safety and efficacy concerns regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are common among the public and have a negative impact on their uptake. We aimed to report the adverse effects currently associated with the vaccine in Pakistan to build confidence among the population for its adoption. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of the Punjab province of Pakistan between January and March 2022. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. All data were analyzed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: We recruited 1622 people with the majority aged between 25-45 years. Of these, 51% were female, including 27 pregnant women and 42 lactating mothers. Most participants had received the Sinopharm (62.6%) or Sinovac (17.8%) vaccines. The incidences of at least one side effect after the first (N = 1622), second (N = 1484), and booster doses (N = 219) of the COVID-19 vaccine were 16.5%, 20.1%, and 32%, respectively. Inflammation/erythema at the injection site, pain at the injection site, fever, and bone/muscle pain were common side effects of vaccination. No significant differences were observed in the adverse effect scores between all demographic variables except for pregnancy (P = 0.012) after the initial dose. No significant association was observed between any variable and the side effect scores of the second and booster doses of the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a 16-32% prevalence of self-reported side effects after the first, second, and booster COVID-19 vaccinations. Most adverse effects were mild and transient, indicating the safety of different COVID-19 vaccines.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Male , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pakistan/epidemiology , Lactation , COVID-19/prevention & control
3.
Horm Behav ; 153: 105375, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20230743

ABSTRACT

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis describes how maternal stress exposures experienced during critical periods of perinatal life are linked to altered developmental trajectories in offspring. Perinatal stress also induces changes in lactogenesis, milk volume, maternal care, and the nutritive and non-nutritive components of milk, affecting short and long-term developmental outcomes in offspring. For instance, selective early life stressors shape the contents of milk, including macro/micronutrients, immune components, microbiota, enzymes, hormones, milk-derived extracellular vesicles, and milk microRNAs. In this review, we highlight the contributions of parental lactation to offspring development by examining changes in the composition of breast milk in response to three well-characterized maternal stressors: nutritive stress, immune stress, and psychological stress. We discuss recent findings in human, animal, and in vitro models, their clinical relevance, study limitations, and potential therapeutic significance to improving human health and infant survival. We also discuss the benefits of enrichment methods and support tools that can be used to improve milk quality and volume as well as related developmental outcomes in offspring. Lastly, we use evidence-based primary literature to convey that even though select maternal stressors may modulate lactation biology (by influencing milk composition) depending on the severity and length of exposure, exclusive and/or prolonged milk feeding may attenuate the negative in utero effects of early life stressors and promote healthy developmental trajectories. Overall, scientific evidence supports lactation to be protective against nutritive and immune stressors, but the benefits of lactation in response to psychological stressors need further investigation.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Lactation , Infant , Female , Pregnancy , Animals , Humans , Lactation/physiology , Milk, Human/physiology , Mothers/psychology , Parents
4.
BMJ Glob Health ; 8(5)2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2323220

ABSTRACT

While the acute and collective crisis from the pandemic is over, an estimated 2.5 million people died from COVID-19 in 2022, tens of millions suffer from long COVID and national economies still reel from multiple deprivations exacerbated by the pandemic. Sex and gender biases deeply mark these evolving experiences of COVID-19, impacting the quality of science and effectiveness of the responses deployed. To galvanise change by strengthening evidence-informed inclusion of sex and gender in COVID-19 practice, we led a virtual collaboration to articulate and prioritise gender and COVID-19 research needs. In addition to standard prioritisation surveys, feminist principles mindful of intersectional power dynamics underpinned how we reviewed research gaps, framed research questions and discussed emergent findings. The collaborative research agenda-setting exercise engaged over 900 participants primarily from low/middle-income countries in varied activities. The top 21 research questions included the importance of the needs of pregnant and lactating women and information systems that enable sex-disaggregated analysis. Gender and intersectional aspects to improving vaccine uptake, access to health services, measures against gender-based violence and integrating gender in health systems were also prioritised. These priorities are shaped by more inclusive ways of working, which are critical for global health as it faces further uncertainties in the aftermath of COVID-19. It remains imperative to address the basics in gender and health (sex-disaggregated data and sex-specific needs) and also advance transformational goals to advance gender justice across health and social policies, including those related to global research.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Male , Humans , Female , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome , Lactation , Public Policy
5.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 20(4)2023 Feb 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2314446

ABSTRACT

The most important and widely studied role of prolactin (PRL) is its modulation of stress responses during pregnancy and lactation. PRL acts as a neuropeptide to support physiological reproductive responses. The effects of PRL on the nervous system contribute to a wide range of changes in the female brain during pregnancy and the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. All these changes contribute to the behavioral and physiological adaptations of a young mother to enable reproductive success. PRL-driven brain adaptations are also crucial for regulating maternal emotionality and well-being. Hyperprolactinemia (elevated PRL levels) is a natural and beneficial phenomenon during pregnancy and lactation. However, in other situations, it is often associated with serious endocrine disorders, such as ovulation suppression, which results in a lack of offspring. This introductory example shows how complex this hormone is. In this review, we focus on the different roles of PRL in the body and emphasize the results obtained from animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.


Subject(s)
Hyperprolactinemia , Prolactin , Pregnancy , Animals , Female , Prolactin/physiology , Lactation/physiology
6.
Vaccine ; 41(26): 3885-3890, 2023 06 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2316609

ABSTRACT

Pregnant and lactating women's vaccine decision-making process is influenced by many factors. Pregnant women were at increased risk for severe disease and poor health outcomes from COVID-19 at various time points during the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be safe and protective during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In this study, we sought to examine key factors that informed the decision-making process among pregnant and lactating women in Bangladesh. We conducted 24 in-depth interviews, with 12 pregnant and 12 lactating women. These women were from three communities in Bangladesh: one urban community, and two rural communities. We used a grounded theory approach to identify emerging themes and organized emerging themes using a socio-ecological model. The socio-ecological model suggests that individuals are influenced by many levels, including individual-level influences, interpersonal-level influences, health care system-level influences, and policy-level influences. We found key factors at each socio-ecological level that influenced the decision-making process of pregnant and lactating women, including perceived benefits of vaccines and vaccine safety (individual-level), the influence of husbands and peers (interpersonal-level), health care provider recommendations and vaccine eligibility (health care system-level), and vaccine mandates (policy-level). As vaccination can reduce the effect of COVID-19 disease in mothers, infants, and unborn children, targeting critical factors that inform the decision-making process is paramount for improving vaccine acceptance. We hope the results of this study will inform vaccine acceptance efforts to ensure that pregnant and lactating women take advantage of this life-saving intervention.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccines , Infant , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , Lactation , Bangladesh , Pregnant Women , Vaccination
7.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth ; 23(1): 296, 2023 Apr 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2303532

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Drug use in pregnancy and lactation is challenging. It becomes more challenging in pregnant and lactating women with certain critical clinical conditions such as COVID-19, because of inconsistent drug safety data. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the various drug information resources for the scope, completeness, and consistency of the information related to COVID-19 medications in pregnancy and lactation. METHODS: Data related to COVID-19 medications from various drug information resources such as text references, subscription databases, and free online tools were used for the comparison. The congregated data were analyzed for scope, completeness, and consistency. RESULTS: Scope scores were highest for Portable Electronic Physician Information Database (PEPID), Up-to-date, and drugs.com compared to other resources. The overall completeness scores were higher for Micromedex and drugs.com (p < 0.05 compared to all other resources). The inter-reliability analysis for overall components by Fleiss kappa among all the resources was found to be 'slight' (k < 0.20, p < 0.0001). The information related to the older drugs in most of the resources, provides in-depth details on various components such as pregnancy safety, clinical data related to lactation, the effect of the drug distribution into breast milk, reproductive potential/infertility risk and the pregnancy category/recommendations. However, the information related to these components for newer drugs was superficial and incomplete, with insufficient data and inconclusive evidence, which is a statistically significant observation. The strength of observer agreement for the various COVID-19 medications ranged from poor to fair and moderate for the various recommendation categories studied. CONCLUSION: This study reports discrepancies in the information related to pregnancy, lactation, drug level, reproductive risk, and pregnancy recommendations among the resources directing to refer to more than one resource for information about the safe and quality use of medications in this special population.The present study also emphasizes the need for development of comprehensive, evidence-based, and precise information guide that can promote safe and effective drug use in this special population.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lactation , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Reproducibility of Results , Breast Feeding , Milk, Human
9.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth ; 23(1): 107, 2023 Feb 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2260439

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Public health and clinical recommendations are established from systematic reviews and retrospective meta-analyses combining effect sizes, traditionally, from aggregate data and more recently, using individual participant data (IPD) of published studies. However, trials often have outcomes and other meta-data that are not defined and collected in a standardized way, making meta-analysis problematic. IPD meta-analysis can only partially fix the limitations of traditional, retrospective, aggregate meta-analysis; prospective meta-analysis further reduces the problems. METHODS: We developed an initiative including seven clinical intervention studies of balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation that are being conducted (or recently concluded) in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and Pakistan to test the effect of BEP on infant and maternal outcomes. These studies were commissioned after an expert consultation that designed recommendations for a BEP product for use among pregnant and lactating women in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative goal is to harmonize variables across studies to facilitate IPD meta-analyses on closely aligned data, commonly called prospective meta-analysis. Our objective here is to describe the process of harmonizing variable definitions and prioritizing research questions. A two-day workshop of investigators, content experts, and advisors was held in February 2020 and harmonization activities continued thereafter. Efforts included a range of activities from examining protocols and data collection plans to discussing best practices within field constraints. Prior to harmonization, there were many similar outcomes and variables across studies, such as newborn anthropometry, gestational age, and stillbirth, however, definitions and protocols differed. As well, some measurements were being conducted in several but not all studies, such as food insecurity. Through the harmonization process, we came to consensus on important shared variables, particularly outcomes, added new measurements, and improved protocols across studies. DISCUSSION: We have fostered extensive communication between investigators from different studies, and importantly, created a large set of harmonized variable definitions within a prospective meta-analysis framework. We expect this initiative will improve reporting within each study in addition to providing opportunities for a series of IPD meta-analyses.


Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements , Lactation , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Data Collection , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies
10.
Obstet Gynecol ; 141(5): 957-960, 2023 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2269113

ABSTRACT

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) is recommended to reduce the risk of hospitalization from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy. Data on use in pregnancy, including prescribing patterns and patient experience (adverse effects, incidence of rebound), are limited. We performed a cross-sectional study in which we surveyed a cohort of vaccinated pregnant or lactating individuals with breakthrough COVID-19. Of 35 pregnant respondents, 51.4% were prescribed and 34.3% took nirmatrelvir-ritonavir; of these, 91.7% experienced dysgeusia and 50.0% had rebound (50.0% positive test result, 33.3% return of symptoms). Three of five lactating respondents were prescribed and two took nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. There were no significant adverse outcomes. Unknown risk was the most common reason for declining nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. More research is needed to establish the safety of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in pregnancy and lactation, to improve public health messaging, and to increase uptake of this treatment.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lactation , Female , Pregnancy , Humans , Ritonavir/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Antiviral Agents
12.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med ; 35(25): 5456-5463, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2267460

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To synthesize the current evidence for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the human milk of mothers with confirmed COVID-19 and its potential role in neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using terms related to novel coronavirus 2019 and human milk, a systematic search was performed in three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science) for studies published between December 2019 and 15 October 2020. Published peer-reviewed studies reporting the results of RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human milk in mothers with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Proportion meta-analysis of case series and prospective cohort studies was performed using STATA version 14.2 (StataCorp, College Station, TX) and pooled estimate (with 95% confidence interval) of overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was calculated. RESULTS: We identified 936 records, of which 34 studies (24 case-reports, 10 cohort studies) were eligible for this systematic review. A total of 116 confirmed COVID-19 lactating women (88 in cohort and 28 in case-reports) underwent RT-PCR testing in human milk, and 10 (six in case reports) were detected to have SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The overall pooled proportion (from cohort studies) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in human milk was 2.16% (95% CI: 0.0-8.81%, I2: 0%). Four studies (six patients) also reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies (along with RT-PCR) in human milk. CONCLUSIONS: The limited low-quality evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected in human milk in an extremely low proportion, however, based on current evidence no conclusion can be drawn about its infectivity and impact on the infants. In concordance with World Health Organization recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding should be considered in all cases unless any other contraindication exists.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , Lactation , Milk, Human , Prospective Studies , RNA, Viral
13.
Matern Child Nutr ; 19(2): e13466, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2248366

ABSTRACT

This implementation research study sought to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and infant nutrition practices, and related aspects of health and food systems in Nairobi and Uasin Gishu Counties, Kenya. The study triangulated in-depth interviews with 16 pregnant women, 31 lactating women (including COVID-19 positive), 10 facility health workers, 10 community health volunteers, 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) with food vendors, 4 FGDs and 15 stakeholder interviews with government and implementing partners. Trends from Kenyan Health Information System indicators (i.e., exclusive breastfeeding and initiation of breastfeeding, antenatal care) were also examined. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in attendance of antenatal care, and maternity facilities was observed, and corroborated by Kenyan Health Information System data. Lack of clarity among health workers on COVID-19 breastfeeding guidance and fear of COVID-19 infection early in the pandemic were key drivers of early infant formula use, mother-child separation following delivery and delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Most women exclusively breastfed due to Government of Kenya restrictions in movement. Unemployment and job loss was linked to food insecurity and worsened by increased food prices and limited social protection measures. In response, pregnant and lactating women resorted to skipping meals and reducing quantity and variety of foods consumed. Efforts to build forward from COVID-19 in Kenya should include facility and community health education to prevent disruptions in breastfeeding and to support maternal dietary intake, and in the provision of targeted social protection measures alongside other multisectoral interventions (i.e., psychosocial support) for Kenyan pregnant and lactating women.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Female , Infant , Pregnancy , Humans , Kenya/epidemiology , Lactation , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Breast Feeding , Prenatal Care
14.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(5)2023 Feb 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2248209

ABSTRACT

Although only 0.8-1% of SARS-CoV-2 infections are in the 0-9 age-group, pneumonia is still the leading cause of infant mortality globally. Antibodies specifically directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) are produced during severe COVID-19 manifestations. Following vaccination, specific antibodies are also detected in the milk of breastfeeding mothers. Since antibody binding to viral antigens can trigger activation of the complement classical - pathway, we investigated antibody-dependent complement activation by anti-S immunoglobulins (Igs) present in breast milk following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This was in view of the fact that complement could play a fundamentally protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection in newborns. Thus, 22 vaccinated, lactating healthcare and school workers were enrolled, and a sample of serum and milk was collected from each woman. We first tested for the presence of anti-S IgG and IgA in serum and milk of breastfeeding women by ELISA. We then measured the concentration of the first subcomponents of the three complement pathways (i.e., C1q, MBL, and C3) and the ability of anti-S Igs detected in milk to activate the complement in vitro. The current study demonstrated that vaccinated mothers have anti-S IgG in serum as well as in breast milk, which is capable of activating complement and may confer a protective benefit to breastfed newborns.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Female , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , Lactation , Milk, Human , Complement System Proteins , Immunoglobulin G , Antibodies, Viral
15.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 20(1)2022 12 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2243823

ABSTRACT

Breastfeeding is essential for the survival, nutrition, and development of infants and young children. As a result of COVID-19's effects of economic crises and psychological difficulties, breastfeeding outcomes have declined. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between socioeconomic and psychological factors with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional online surveys (n = 390) were conducted between August and November 2021. The participants were women aged 15 years and above who had given birth within 6−12 months before data collection and delivered in public hospitals in the top three provinces with the worst COVID-19 outbreaks during the second wave in Thailand. The average breastfeeding duration in this study was 6.20 months (±2.5) with a range of 1−12 months. Of mothers, 44.9% continued to breastfeed until between 6 and 12 months of age. In a multiple regression analysis, family income (Beta = 0.112, t = 1.988, p < 0.05), breastfeeding intention (beta = 0.097, t = 2.142, p < 0.05), intended breastfeeding duration (beta = 0.391, t = 8.355, p < 0.05), intention to receive vaccination (beta =0.129, t = 2.720, p < 0.05), and anxiety (beta = 0.118, t = 2.237, p < 0.05) were associated with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life (F (7, 382) = 20.977, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.278, R2 Adjusted = 0.264). During COVID-19, psychological factors were more strongly associated with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life than socioeconomic factors. Healthcare providers should promote breastfeeding intention, motivate COVID-19 vaccination intention, and support mental health among lactating mothers, particularly in the event of a pandemic.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , COVID-19 , Infant , Child , Female , Humans , Child, Preschool , Male , Pandemics , Thailand/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19 Vaccines , Lactation , COVID-19/epidemiology , Mothers/psychology , Socioeconomic Factors
16.
BMJ Open ; 13(2): e066367, 2023 02 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2240128

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women, foetuses and infants are at risk of infectious disease-related complications. Maternal vaccination is a strategy developed to better protect pregnant women and their offspring against infectious disease-related morbidity and mortality. Vaccines against influenza, pertussis and recently also COVID-19 are widely recommended for pregnant women. Yet, there is still a significant amount of hesitation towards maternal vaccination policies. Furthermore, contradictory messages circulating social media impact vaccine confidence. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to reveal how COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination impacted vaccine confidence in pregnant and lactating women. Additionally, this review studied the role social media plays in creating opinions towards vaccination in these target groups. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Articles published between 23 November 2018 and 18 July 2022 that are linked to the objectives of this review were included. Reviews, articles not focusing on the target group, abstracts, articles describing outcomes of COVID-19 infection/COVID-19 vaccination were excluded. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: The PubMed database was searched to select articles. Search terms used were linked to pregnancy, lactation, vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 and social media. CHARTING METHODS: Included articles were abstracted and synthesised by one reviewer. Verification was done by a second reviewer. Disagreements were addressed through discussion between reviewers and other researchers. RESULTS: Pregnant and lactating women are generally less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine compared with non-pregnant and non-nursing women. The main reason to refuse maternal vaccination is safety concerns. A positive link was detected between COVID-19 vaccine willingness and acceptance of other vaccines during pregnancy. The internet and social media are identified as important information sources for maternal vaccination. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Vaccine hesitancy in pregnant and lactating women remains an important issue, expressing the need for effective interventions to increase vaccine confidence and coverage. The role social media plays in vaccine uptake remains unclear.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Communicable Diseases , Social Media , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , Lactation , Pandemics/prevention & control , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Pregnant Women , Vaccination
17.
Semin Fetal Neonatal Med ; 28(1): 101425, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2239717

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed considerable challenges to the health of lactating individuals. Vaccination remains one of the most important strategies for prevention of moderate to severe COVID-19 infection and is associated with protective benefits for lactating individuals and their breastfed infants with overall mild side effects. The current recommendations for COVID-19 treatment in lactating individuals includes remdesivir and dexamethasone for hospitalized patients and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelavir + ritonavir) as outpatient treatment in those with mild disease. As the pandemic continues to evolve with new COVID-19 variants, alternative therapeutic options are potentially needed, and it is critical to include lactating individuals in research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 treatment options in this population.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19 , Female , Humans , Infant , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Drug Treatment/adverse effects , Lactation , Pandemics , RNA, Viral , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination
18.
J Perinat Med ; 51(2): 277-283, 2023 Feb 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2231992

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In this article, we aimed to evaluate the most recent information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of mothers and their babies. METHODS: We conducted a literature search by utilizing online sources. Scientific papers that were written in English on the effects of COVID-19 on both mother and their newborn were assessed. RESULTS: COVID-19 can be fatal, especially in pregnant women with accompanying chronic diseases. The timing and mode of delivery should be decided by the status of the mother and fetus instead of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in pregnant women. At the nursery, routine separation of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers and their infants is not recommended. However, it is important to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission. The advantages of breastfeeding seem to outweigh the potential dangers of viral transmission. Neonatal COVID-19 infections may cause different clinical pictures from asymptomatic infections to life-threatening diseases. International health authorities specifically recommend that pregnant and lactating women get vaccinated to diminish the risk of transmission of the virus to the mother and fetus, not giving preference to a certain vaccine. It is prudent to apply universal screening only in populations with a high prevalence of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals should carefully manage the perinatal period during the COVID-19 outbreak, using the most up-to-date information to protect and promote maternal and newborn health. Further scientific studies are needed to clarify the early and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal-neonatal morbidity and mortality.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pandemics , Lactation , SARS-CoV-2 , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control
19.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs ; 52(2): 159-167, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2230852

ABSTRACT

Pregnant and lactating women continue to have some of the lowest levels of vaccine uptake despite COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. It is important to consider why COVID-19 vaccine uptake has lagged counter to robust evidence on vaccine benefits, including concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. In this column, I present a summary of research findings, limitations, future directions, and a compilation of guidelines and recommendations from professional and governmental organizations.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Lactation , Vaccination , Policy , Pregnant Women
20.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(3)2023 Feb 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2225334

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the infectious disease known as Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The severe impact of the virus on humans is undeniable, which is why effective vaccines were highly anticipated. As of 12 January 2022, nine vaccines have obtained Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization (WHO), and four of these are approved or authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. The initial clinical trials studying COVID-19 vaccine efficacy excluded pregnant and lactating individuals, meaning that data on the effects of the vaccine on breast milk were lacking. Until today, none of the authorized vaccines have been approved for use in individuals under six months. During the first months of life, babies do not produce their own antibodies; therefore, antibodies contained in their mothers' breastmilk are a critical protective mechanism. Several studies have shown the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the breast milk of women who have been vaccinated or had been naturally infected. However, whether these are protective is still unclear. Additionally, research on the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and the mRNA-1273 vaccine developed by Moderna suggests that these vaccines do not release significant amounts, if any, of mRNA into breast milk. Hence, there is no evidence that vaccination of the mother poses any risk to the breastfed infant, while the antibodies present in breast milk may offer protection against the virus. The primary objective of this systematic review is to summarize the current understanding of the presence of immunoglobulins in human milk that are elicited by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and to evaluate their ability to neutralize the virus. Additionally, we aim to quantify the side effects experienced by lactating mothers who have been vaccinated, as well as the potential for adverse effects in their infants. This study is critical because it can help inform decision-making by examining the current understanding of antibody secretion in breastmilk. This is particularly important because, although the virus tends to be less severe in younger individuals, infants who contract the disease are at a higher risk of requiring hospitalization compared to older children.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Infant , Child , Humans , Female , Adolescent , COVID-19 Vaccines , Milk, Human , SARS-CoV-2 , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , BNT162 Vaccine , Lactation , COVID-19/prevention & control , Antibodies, Viral , Vaccination , Antibodies, Neutralizing
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