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Am J Perinatol 2020; 37(S 02): S46-S53
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714675
Original Article

Management and Nutrition of Neonates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of the Existing Guidelines and Recommendations

Giulia Genoni
1   Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
,
Alessandra Conio
1   Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
,
Marco Binotti
1   Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
,
Paolo Manzoni
2   Division of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Department of Maternal Infant Medicine, Degli Infermi Hospital, Ponderano (Biella), Italy
,
Matteo Castagno
3   Pediatric Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
,
Ivana Rabbone
3   Pediatric Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
4   Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
,
Alice Monzani
3   Pediatric Unit, Maggiore Della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
4   Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective We aimed at reviewing the currently available guidelines and scientific recommendations regarding the neonatal in-hospital management and feeding in the light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Study Design We systematically searched the guideline databases, Medline, Embase, and nationale/international neonatal societies websites as of June 19, 2020, for guidelines on neonatal management and feeding during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the same time assessing the methodological quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool.

Results Eleven guidelines were included. The Chinese and American recommendations suggest separation of the mother and her neonate, whereas in French, Italian, UK, Canadian, and World Health Organization consensus documents the rooming-in is suggested, with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines suggesting to decide on a case-by-case basis. All the guidelines recommend breastfeeding or feeding with expressed maternal milk; the only exception is the Chinese recommendations, these last suggesting to avoid breastfeeding.

Conclusion This review may provide a useful tool for clinicians and organizers, highlighting differences and similarities of the existing guidelines on the management and feeding strategies in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points

  • This study compares guidelines on management and nutrition of a newborn born to a mother with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  • Existing guidelines on neonatal management and nutrition during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic show many differences.

  • The majority of recommendations are mainly based on experts' opinion and are not evidence-based.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 - COVID-19 - neonatal management - postnatal nutrition - guidelines - AGREE II

Authors' Contributions

G.G. and A.M. were involved in conceptualization, analysis, methodology, and writing the original manuscript. A.C. and I.R. dedicated in conceptualization, supervision, and validation. M.B. performed conceptualization and analysis. P.M. supported in writing the original manuscript. M.C. contributed in conceptualization.




Publication History

Article published online:
08 September 2020

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