Abstract:

Breastfeeding is considered the strongest postnatal bond between mother and baby and is the best source of nutrition that has implications for infant health and development. However, the global COVID-19 epidemic process and the lack of full understanding of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly reduced breastfeeding practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the milk of lactating mothers with COVID-19 disease and to provide scientific evidence on whether breastfeeding will be safe. For this purpose, breast milk samples were collected from 60 women with COVID-19 in Şanlıurfa city of Turkey, and breast milk samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCRs. As a result of the analysis, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in any breast milk. According to the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that there is no evidence of mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through breast milk and that mothers can safely breastfeed their children in this process. We think that it will be possible with more in-depth analyzes and comprehensive studies to fully understand whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted to infants through breast milk.

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