International comparison of guidelines for managing neonates at the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Journal article

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens global newborn health. We describe the current state of national and local protocols for managing neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers.

Methods:
Care providers from neonatal intensive care units on six continents exchanged and compared protocols on the management of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. Data collection was between March 14 and 21, 2020. We focused on central protocol components, including triaging, hygiene precautions, management at delivery, feeding protocols, and visiting policies.

Results:
Data from 20 countries were available. Disease burden varied between countries at the time of analysis. In most countries, asymptomatic infants were allowed to stay with the mother and breastfeed with hygiene precautions. We detected discrepancies between national guidance in particular regarding triaging, use of personal protection equipment, viral testing, and visitor policies. Local protocols deviated from national guidance.

Conclusions:
At the start of the pandemic, lack of evidence-based guidance on the management of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers has led to ad hoc creation of national and local guidance. Compliance between collaborators to share and discuss protocols was excellent and may lead to more consensus on management, but future guidance should be built on high-level evidence, rather than expert consensus.

Authors: Lavizzari, A; Klingenberg, C; Profit, J; Zupancic, JAF; Davis, AS

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Journal: Pediatric Research
• Volume: 89
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 940-951
• Publication date: 2020-06-15
• Acceptance date: 2020-05-13
• DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-0976-5
• EISSN: 1530-0447
• ISSN: 0031-3998
• Pmid: 32541844
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR