Essential newborn care and postnatal infection by COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): Systematic review

ABSTRACT

Objective: The uncertainty of a possible postnatal transmission by SARS-CoV-2 creates a challenge between applying or avoiding essential newborn care to prevent transmission. The objective of the systematic review is to describe the impact of essential neonate care on the postnatal transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A systematic review was carried out in electronic databases, observational studies, case series, and case reports. Two investigators independently assessed the inclusion criteria, methodological quality, and data extraction. Results: 208 studies were screened for a final inclusion of 9 relevant articles. The transmission report of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is focused on the possibility of transfer through breast milk and the absence of information about transmission by other essential care, however, a low use, in clinical practice, of essential care for the newborn child of a mother with CO-VID-19, is observed. Conclusions: Information is limited on the possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through essential newborn care;however, the pandemic has had a significant impact on them. According to the findings in the literature, the benefit of these interventions is greater, and the scientific recommendations promote their application, using personal protection measures for the mother and the healthcare personnel. © 2021, Universidad del Norte. All rights reserved.