The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, resulting from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused severe and widespread illness in adults, including pregnant women, while rarely infecting neonates. An incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis and viral spread has resulted in evolving guidelines to reduce transmission from infected mothers to neonates. Fortunately, the risk of neonatal infection via perinatal/postnatal transmission is low when recommended precautions are followed. However, the psychosocial implications of these practices and racial/ethnic disparities highlighted by this pandemic must also be addressed when caring for mothers and their newborns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of neonatal–perinatal perspectives of COVID-19, ranging from the basic science of infection and recommendations for care of pregnant women and neonates to important psychosocial, ethical, and racial/ethnic topics emerging as a result of both the pandemic and the response of the healthcare community to the care of infected individuals.
The variable macronutrient content of human milk may contribute to growth deficits among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In a longitudinal study of 37 infants < 32 weeks gestation, we aimed to (1) determine the between-infant variation in macronutrient intake from human milk and (2) examine associations of macronutrient intake with growth outcomes. We analyzed 1626 human milk samples (median, 43 samples/infant) with mid infrared spectroscopy. Outcomes at term equivalent age were weight, length, head circumference, fat mass, and fat-free mass. Median (range) intakes from human milk were: protein 1.37 (0.88, 2.43) g/kg/day; fat 4.20 (3.19, 5.82) g/kg/day; carbohydrate 8.94 (7.72, 9.85) g/kg/day; and energy 82.5 (68.7, 99.3) kcal/kg/day. In median regression models adjusted for birth size and gestational age, and other covariates, greater intakes of fat and energy were associated with higher weight (0.61 z-scores per g/kg/day fat, 95% CI 0.21, 1.01; 0.69 z-scores per 10 kcal/kg/day, 95% CI 0.28, 1.10), whereas greater protein intake was associated with greater body length (0.84 z-scores per g/kg/day protein, 95% CI 0.09, 1.58). Higher fat intake was also associated with higher fat mass and fat-free mass. Macronutrient intakes from human milk were highly variable and associated with growth outcomes despite routine fortification.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.