Human Milk in the Time of COVID-19

Presented by Prof. Sertac Arslanoglu on Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020.
Following the first reported case in December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 57.8 million people resulting in more than 1.3 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 in children seems to be milder with respect to adults, yet infants younger than 1 year may present a more severe disease requiring advanced care. Although breast milk is an immune-potent nutrient providing protection against infections thanks to its numerous bioactive components, there are questions regarding its role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
This talk, based on the accumulated evidence until now, gives an update on the potential of human milk in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, as well as its promising potential in the protection and treatment of the disease. Furthermore, it addresses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding and milk banking practices, reviews the current recommendations, and gaps in the scientific evidence, discussing finally the priorities for research in the field.