Protective measures feasibility for infants of low-income SARS-CoV-2 positive breastfeeding mothers: A prospective multicentre cohort study

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of protective measures for infants of low-income SARS-CoV-2 positive breastfeeding mothers.

Background: Breastfeeding mothers with SARS-CoV-2 positive should avoid exposing the infant through protective measures (PM), but it could be challenging in a low-income population.

Methods: A prospective, multicentre study was conducted between July and October 2020 (BRACOVID). The participants were recruited at birth and interviewed through a structured questionnaire at 7 and 14 days in the home environment. The feasibility of PM during breastfeeding at home was defined by guidelines recommendations (mask using, handwashing, and distancing from newborn when not breastfeeding). Three groups according to the feasibility of guidelines: complete guidelines feasibility (CG): all PM; partial guidelines feasibility (PG): at least one PM feasible; no guidelines (NG): infeasibility to all of PM. Flu-like neonatal symptoms and breastfeeding practices were analyzed. We evaluated the association between PM feasibility and socioeconomic factors.

Results: One hundred seventeen infected mothers from 17 Brazilian hospitals were enrolled. Forty-seven (40%) mothers followed all recommendations, 14 (11.9%) could not practice at least one recommendation, and 50 (42.7%) did not execute any of them. The breastfeeding rate was 98%. Factors associated with infeasibility were monthly family income <92.7 dollars/person, high housing density (>1 inhabitant/room), teenage mothers, responsive feeding, and poor schooling. Regarding infants' flu-like symptoms, 5% presented symptoms at 14 days (NG group).

Conclusion: The guidelines were not applied to infants of SARs-CoV-positive mothers in 54.6% of the dyads since the recommendations were unviable in their environments. During pandemics, we should look for feasible and effective guidelines to protect neonates from low-income populations.

Implications for nursing management: Poor socioeconomic conditions lead to the unfeasibility of protective measures for infants of low-income SARS-CoV-2 positive breastfeeding mothers during the isolation period in the pandemics. The orientations and the support provided to dyad should consider the socioeconomic factors to guide feasible measures in the home environment and promote adequate protections; only an individual approach will allow a safe environment for low-income infants. The Research Ethics Committee approved the project of the Medicine School in Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (CAAE: 31357320.9.1001.5440-4.066.741/2020) and Brazilian hospitals and maternal services.