Telehealth During COVID-19 - Telephone Call or Video Call?
Written by Nathan Tran
Edited by Pooja Dandekar
Jan 18, 2021
Edited by Pooja Dandekar
Jan 18, 2021
Ever since the introduction of sanitary practices in the 1900s, infant mortality has decreased significantly during childbirth. However, with the current conditions of COVID-19 and its contagious nature, will pregnant mothers have another thing to worry about during labor? One point of contention right now is whether or not newborns whose mothers have contracted coronavirus are also infected or show other symptoms. If the infant does test positive, do they contract it in the womb, and if so, how is it possible for a respiratory virus to do so?
Since the outbreak of coronavirus in 2019, many cases of COVID-19 have been reported. However, few cases have been reported in neonates (newborn infants). A case study by a team of researchers looked at the statistics before concluding that vertical (parent-to-child) transmission of the disease is highly unlikely, and we need more data to eliminate the possibility of false-positive tests. However, horizontal (person-to-person) transmission is still possible. For that reason, the mother should make sure to wear a face mask and practice proper hygiene throughout the process of labor.
After the child is born, whether they be symptomatic or asymptomatic, treatment with antibiotics such as Remdesivir or other medications is not recommended. Instead, current recommended treatment for asymptomatic infants with a symptomatic mother includes breastfeeding and separation from the parent for two weeks after the onset of her symptoms. It has been shown breast milk does not transmit the virus and is instead the best supplement for a child in preventing further health risks. If the child is symptomatic, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory supervision is recommended. There is a possibility of airborne infection from the mother to the child. Taking preventative measures certainly helps, but they do not lower the risk of transmission to zero.
Although we do not currently have enough data on COVID-19 transmission from an infant’s mother, we know what to do for a child in the presence of a symptomatic or infected parent. Looking forward, further research and monitoring of newborns at risk of COVID-19 would significantly contribute to understanding and preventing their infection post-birth, and a vaccine would be the best option to eliminate any concerns. For now, the best precaution is to wear a mask and wash your hands to protect those around you - even if they aren’t pregnant.
Works Cited
Nayak, Manas, et al. “Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Neonates – What Is Known and What Needs to Be Known.” PMC, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7529492/.