Influence of N95 Mask-related Hypoxemia on Headache, Stress, Anxiety, and Quality of Sleep during COVID-19 Patient Care among Frontline Health Care Professionals.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged use of N95 masks by healthcare workers might affect physical health due to mask-related hypoxia in addition to the psychological effects of N95 masks. We tried to explore the association of N95 mask-related hypoxia and headache with stress, quality of sleep, and anxiety in the current study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample (N = 78) consisted of 41 doctors and 37 nurses involved in COVID-19 patient care and using N95 masks with or without PPE for at least 4 hours. Perceived stress scale (PSS), Coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were administered, and physical parameters like heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured. RESULTS: Around 42% of the study participants experienced headaches after wearing an N95 mask and had a higher increase in heart rate (mean percent:10.5% vs 6.3%) and decline in SpO2 (mean percent: 2.6% vs 1.5%) compared to those who didn't develop a headache after N95 mask use. Independent samples t-test showed a mean difference for PSS and CAS between those who experienced headaches and those who didn't. The mean PSQI scores among the study participants were 8.91 ± 5.78; the score among those participants with and without headache was 10.57 ± 3.11 and 7.68 ± 2.53, respectively. CONCLUSION: Perceived corona anxiety, poor sleep quality, and corona anxiety are associated with N95-related headaches and SpO2 drop among health professionals who wear N95 masks for at least 4 hours.

Breastfeeding and infection control measures among lactating COVID-positive mothers: a retrospective study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding along with infection prevention measures is recommended for lactating COVID-positive mothers as benefits outweigh the risk. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the feeding and infection prevention measures among the COVID-19 infected lactating mothers in Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry to identify areas of concern. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional and observational study was conducted by telephonic survey after verbal consent on a series of 103 COVID-positive postnatal mothers regarding their feeding practices and infection prevention measures. Descriptive statistics was used. Results: Breastfeeding was given by 72 (69.9%), mixed feeding by 27 mothers (26.2%), and formula feeds by four (3.9%). Overall, exclusive breastfeeding was given by 66 mothers (64.1%). With respect to infection prevention measures, high performance of frequent/always was observed for use of hand hygiene (n=90, 87.3%) and use of mask (n=81, 78.5%). Conclusion: Despite the pandemic situation, the most COVID-positive mothers breastfed their infants with fair compliance to infection prevention measures.

A Clinical Retrospective Study on the Transmission of COVID-19 From Mothers to Their Newborn and Its Outcome.

Introduction India is the second most populated country in the world. The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and newborns. Due to the decreased lung volume and immunocompromised state, pregnant women are more prone to rapid clinical deterioration. Regarding the transmission of COVID-19 infection to newborns, there is no clear-cut evidence regarding the intrauterine or vertical transmission of COVID-19 from the affected pregnant women to their neonates. Aim This study aimed to assess the outcome of neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Methods This retrospective case record-based study was conducted among all neonates born to COVID-19-positive mothers at a tertiary care institution in Puducherry from April 2020 to June 2020. All the newborns born to COVID-19-positive mothers during the specified period of time were included in the study. Results A total of 98 COVID-positive mothers were included in the study. Of these, 13.27% showed mild upper respiratory infection, and one had a moderate category. The mean gestational age was 38.4+1.12 weeks. About 53.06% of COVID-19-positive mothers had C-sections, 45.92% had a normal vaginal delivery, and only one had an instrumental vaginal delivery. All the mothers gave birth to singleton neonates; of 98 newborns, 51 were female, and 47 were male with the mean birth weight of 3.1 ± 0.4 kg. Among the 98 neonates, only six developed COVID-19 infection. Among the six, four acquired infections during the first to second week of the postnatal period and two acquired infections during the fourth week. Three neonates born by normal vaginal delivery only had a fever; two neonates manifested fever, cough, and increased respiratory rate; and only one neonate developed hypoxia. Conclusion The study showed that vertical transmission from the mother to the newborn is extremely minimal. In our study, six neonates acquired infection mostly due to the close contact of the newborn with the mother during rooming-in and breastfeeding.