Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Covid-19 and the Care of the Neonate

Katie Hanafin*

Background

Covid-19 has caused a ripple effect of changes across all areas of healthcare, including care of Neonates. Initial thoughts were that vertical transmission was not possible but this is now in question. Neonates are a high risk population, for that reason extreme care must be taken to protect this vulnerable group of the population, whilst also provided family centered care within new, strict visiting regimes and rules. Objective: Highlight of the main issues surrounding neonates and covid-19. Discuss the likelihood of vertical transmission. Discuss the effect of Covid-19 on parents. Results: Case reports from Fenizia, Zamaniyan et al, Kirtsman et al, and Sisman et al, all suggest there is a risk of vertical transmission, although the percentage of cases seen are minimal. Those babies found to be positive were often asymptomatic or minimally affected by the virus. There has been a big change within hospitals regarding management of patients and patient/staff ratios for suspected/confirmed patients. This has had a multifactorial negative effect including tired, overworked staff, cuts in salaries for some due to the hospitals extra expenditure during the pandemic, staff being asked to work on wards they are unfamiliar with, and reduction in bed capacity for patients not affected by Covid-19.

Published Date: 2021-03-30; Received Date: 2021-03-19