WITHDRAWN: Analysis of Management Approach to Newborn Care of Infants Delivered to COVID-19 Positive Mothers at Five Tertiary Care Centers in the UAE over a 7 Month Period 

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess newborn care practices, clinical characters and risks of mother to child transmission during rooming in and breastfeeding in infants born to mothers with COVID-19.DesignRetrospective observational study.Participants5 Tertiary care centers located in the UAE. Infants born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of delivery, born between April 1st and October 30th 2020.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the newborn care practices in various tertiary care hospitals and the rate of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant (vertical or horizontal) while rooming in, breastfeeding and post discharge. Results40 infants were born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of delivery. One infant tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after birth and had respiratory symptoms and fever. 23 of the well infants were roomed in during their hospital stay and were breastfed. In 8 cases, the mother and baby were separated and isolated from the time of birth till discharge. 95% of the discharged infants were rooming in with mothers, 45% of the infants were exclusively breastfed and 55% were on mixed feeding (breast milk and formula milk) at the follow-up. None of the infants developed significant health issues or symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionThe risk of mother to infant transmission of COVID-19 in the perinatal period is very low. Our study reaffirms the AAP guidelines that rooming in and breastfeeding of newborns born to COVID-19 positive mothers is safe without an increased risk of transmission by following mandated safety precautions.