DETECTABLE SARS-CoV-2 IN HUMAN BREAST MILK: A TURKEY EXPERIENCE

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Breastfeeding is considered the strongest postnatal bond between mother and infant and is the best source of nutrition that that affects infant health and development. However, the global COVID-19 epidemic and the lack of understanding of the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly limited breastfeeding practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the milk of breastfeeding mothers with COVID-19 disease and to provide scientific evidence on whether Material and Methods: For this purpose, breast milk samples were collected from 60 women with COVID19 in the Turkish city of, and analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCRs. Results: The result of the analysis, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in any breast milk. According to the results obtained in this study;that there is no evidence of mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV2 through breast milk and that mothers can safely breastfeed their infants. Conclusion: We believe that with deeper analysis and comprehensive studies, it will be possible to fully understand whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted to infants through breast milk.