Infants born to mothers with confirmed new coronavirus infections should be isolated, if possible, according to an interim guidance from the CDC advising healthcare personnel caring for pregnant patients in the midst of the new virus outbreak.
The guidance details infection prevention and control practices healthcare organizations should consider when providing care for pregnant patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections or those with suspected cases.
Per the guidance, healthcare organizations need to:
• Isolate pregnant patients who have confirmed COVID-19 or are suspected cases.
• Conduct basic and refresher infection control and personal protective equipment training for all healthcare personnel in labor and delivery as well as recovery and inpatient postpartum units.
• Ensure sufficient and appropriate personal protective equipment supplies at all points of care.
• Implement processes to protect newborns from risk of COVID-19.
With respect to newborns, healthcare facilities should be careful to discuss temporary separation of the infant from the mother with the mother, and have isolation rooms ready. The decision to discontinue temporary separation should be made case bycase..
If isolation rooms are unavailable, healthcare workers can consider setting up a barrier between mother and infant, such as a curtain.
Other considerations include managing visitor access to a pregnant patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.