A public health approach for deciding policy on infant feeding and mother-infant contact in the context of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concern about the possibility and effects of mother-infant transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through breastfeeding and close contact. The insufficient available evidence has resulted in differing recommendations by health professional associations and national health authorities. We present an approach for deciding public health policy on infant feeding and mother-infant contact in the context of COVID-19, or for future emerging viruses, that balances the risks that are associated with viral infection against child survival, lifelong health, and development, and also maternal health. Using the Lives Saved Tool, we used available data to show how different public health approaches might affect infant mortality. Based on existing evidence, including population and s

SUBMITTER: Rollins N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906661 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature