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SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Results from an Observational Study in Primary Care in Belgium

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Ceulemans

    (Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Jan Y. Verbakel

    (Academic Center for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Kristel Van Calsteren

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • An Eerdekens

    (Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, University Hospitals Leuven Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Karel Allegaert

    (Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Zimmermanweg 11, 3015 CP Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Veerle Foulon

    (Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

COVID-19 also affects pregnant and breastfeeding women. Hence, clinicians and policymakers require reliable evidence on COVID-19 epidemiology and consequences in this population. We aimed to assess the susceptibility of pregnant women to SARS-CoV-2 and women’s perceived impact of the pandemic on their breastfeeding practices, medical counseling and social support. We performed a cross-sectional study using an online survey in primary care in Belgium. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who breastfed in the preceding four weeks were eligible to participate. The survey was distributed through social media in April 2020. In total, 6470 women participated (i.e., 2647 pregnant and 3823 breastfeeding women). Overall, 0.3% of all respondents reported to have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, not indicating a higher susceptibility of pregnant women to contracting COVID-19. More than 90% refuted that the pandemic affected their breastfeeding practices, nor indicated that the coronavirus was responsible for breastfeeding cessation. Half of the women even considered giving longer breastmilk because of the coronavirus. In contrast, women’s medical counseling and social support were negatively affected by the lockdown. Women without previous breastfeeding experience and in the early postpartum period experienced a higher burden in terms of reduced medical counseling and support. In the future, more consideration and alternative supportive measures such as tele-visits by midwives or perinatal organizations are required for these women.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Ceulemans & Jan Y. Verbakel & Kristel Van Calsteren & An Eerdekens & Karel Allegaert & Veerle Foulon, 2020. "SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Results from an Observational Study in Primary Care in Belgium," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6766-:d:414679
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa & Herica Emilia Félix de Carvalho & Layze Braz de Oliveira & Guilherme Schneider & Emerson Lucas Silva Camargo & Evandro Watanabe & Denise de Andrade & Ana Fátima Carva, 2020. "Effects of COVID-19 Infection during Pregnancy and Neonatal Prognosis: What Is the Evidence?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qianqian Chen & Wenjie Li & Juan Xiong & Xujuan Zheng, 2022. "Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Michael Ceulemans & Veerle Foulon & Alice Panchaud & Ursula Winterfeld & Léo Pomar & Valentine Lambelet & Brian Cleary & Fergal O’Shaughnessy & Anneke Passier & Jonathan Luke Richardson & Karel Allega, 2021. "Vaccine Willingness and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Perinatal Experiences and Practices—A Multinational, Cross-Sectional Study Covering the First Wave of the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Angelo Sirico & Roberta Musto & Sonia Migliorini & Serena Brigidi & Federica Anzelmo Sciarra & Annunziata Carlea & Gabriele Saccone & Maurizio Guida & Laura Sarno, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding among SARS-CoV-2 Infected Pregnant Women: A Single Centre Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-10, December.

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