Delayed umbilical cord clamping and breastfeeding after childbirth in mothers affected by COVID 19: Recommended or not?

Abstract

COVID-19, as a global crisis, affects all age groups [1]. Newborns are more vulnerable to the potential consequence of the novel coronavirus due to their immature immune systems [2]. There have been several reports about COVID-19 pneumonia in newborns and two infants 36 h after birth in positive mothers [[3], [4], [5]]. But there is insufficient evidence for vertical transmission from mother to fetus via amniotic fluid, umbilical blood or breast milk [6]. However, due to the novelity of this virus and vulnerability of the fetus, this evidence is not reliable. Therefore, since the respiratory droplets are major way to transmission of the virus to infant [7] during the delivery process, early cord clamping, immediate isolation of the newborn, and lack of skin-to-skin contact can reduce the newborn's infection.