Can Pregnant Women With Coronavirus Infect Their Baby?

A study was conducted in Wuhan which was the epicenter and the worst hit during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19. Three infants born of mothers infected with novel Coronavirus were tested to be negative.

Coronavirus has not been found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk. (Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: Medical researchers are still unfolding the mysteries of Coronavirus and one of them is whether a mother can infect her baby while being pregnant. While there has been no evidence yet of the virus’s presence in amniotic fluid or breast milk, researchers do not rule out the possibility. A study was conducted in Wuhan which was the epicenter and the worst hit during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19. Three infants born of mothers infected with novel Coronavirus were tested to be negative. However, one newborn did experience a minor breathing issue for three days that was treated by non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Also, two babies, including the one with a respiratory problem, did have body rashes that eventually disappeared on their own. The researchers note that it is impossible to conclude whether there’s a connection between these other medical issues and COVID-19. A mother and her newborn baby were infected by Coronavirus in a Mumbai hospital because they were on a bed that was previously used by a Coronavirus patient. There has been no case of a mother infecting her baby so far in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also said in an updated ‘Guidance for Management of Pregnant Women in COVID-19 Pandemic’ that emerging evidence points at a possibility of transmission of the virus from COVID-19 positive mother to baby in utero i.e. when in the womb is possible. According to WHO, it still cannot say if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. To date, the virus has not been found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk. New mothers infected with COVID-19 can breastfeed, but they have to practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available. They must wash hands before and after touching the baby and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched. Some mothers may be scared to come in contact with their babies but WHO says that they can touch their babies. New mothers can hold their new-born skin-to-skin. They can share a room with their baby. They can even breastfeed with good respiratory hygiene. New mothers should wash their hands before and after touching the baby and keep all surfaces clean. Research is still ongoing about Coronavirus and how it spreads. In the meanwhile, it is best to practice good hygiene and follow instructions given by your healthcare provider.