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Breastfeeding in neonates during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic in China: a cross-sectional survey
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  • Zhuxiao Ren,
  • Dongchi Zhao,
  • Ming Yi,
  • Jiayu Miao,
  • J Yang,
  • Zhichun Feng
Zhuxiao Ren
Guangdong Women and Children Hospital

Corresponding Author:renzhx1990@163.com

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Dongchi Zhao
Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University
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Ming Yi
Chongqing Three Gorges Center Hospital
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Jiayu Miao
Guangdong Women and Children Hospital
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J Yang
Guangdong Women and Children Hospital
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Zhichun Feng
Bayi Children’s Hospital, Seventh Medical Center of PLA general hospital
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Abstract

Abstract Objective: To elucidate the current situation of breastfeeding in neonates in China and to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through the mother’s milk. Design: A nationwide cross-sectional survey Setting: Three hundred and forty-four member hospitals of the Chinese Neonatologist Association network from 31 provinces in China. Sample: Nine hundred and fourteen neonatologists Main outcome measures: These included (1) breastfeeding practices in the obstetrics ward; (2) breastfeeding implementation for neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); (3) presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the breast milk of COVID-19 positive mothers based on the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCT) test results. Results: Breastfeeding was undermined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 344 hospitals, 153 (44.48%) centers received breast milk from milk banks to feed babies in NICU. Eight (2.33%) Level III centers performed SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests on breast milk from 15 mothers with COVID-19 and found no SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence in breast milk. Moreover, none of the mothers engaged in breastfeeding. Further, only 52 (5.69%) neonatologists supported breastfeeding in mothers with COVID-19. Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, the benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers outweigh the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through breast milk. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, medical staff should encourage breastfeeding, in keeping with normal infant feeding guidelines, and provide skilled support to all mothers who choose to breastfeed.