Risks and Benefits of Breastfeeding in COVID-19: Integrative Literature Review

Abstract Objective The present article seeks to consolidate existing knowledge on breastfeeding during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data source Articles from 2020 and 2021 collected from the PubMed, CAPES, Virtual Health Library, Google Scholar, SciELO, and UpToDate databases were analyzed. Books and government documents published in the last decade (2010-2020) were also consulted. Study Selection Sixteen works were used in the present study. The date of publication and discussion of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through breastmilk were the inclusion criteria. Thus, articles containing repeated information or with no relevance to add to the production were excluded. Data collection comprised critical reading and synthesis of the main information obtained on the subject, which were performed for the preparation of the present study. The research took place in the period from March 27 to April 2, 2021. Synthesis of the data Breast milk has diverse benefits for both the nursing mother and the infant. The presence of viral RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) in milk from disease-positive mothers has been detected in a few cases, and infant infections in these conditions suggest oral transmission of maternal or third-party origin. The virulence of the novel coronavirus in human milk is not confirmed, while significant amounts of exclusive antibodies are. Conclusion Lactation in the context of COVID-19 has shown greater benefits than risks of vertical transmission. Therefore, it should be encouraged when possible.

### 摘要
#### 研究目的
本文旨在整合严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）大流行期间母乳喂养领域的现有研究成果与知识体系。
#### 数据来源
本研究分析了2020至2021年间从PubMed、CAPES、虚拟健康图书馆（Virtual Health Library）、Google Scholar、SciELO及UpToDate数据库收录的相关文献；同时参考了2010至2020年近十年间出版的书籍与政府官方文件。
#### 研究筛选
本研究最终纳入16项相关研究成果。纳入标准为文献发表于2020至2021年，且包含关于经母乳传播SARS-CoV-2的相关讨论；排除存在重复信息或未对该领域研究提供新增学术贡献的文献。
#### 数据收集
本研究通过批判性阅读与系统性信息整合，提取该主题的核心研究内容以完成文稿撰写，数据收集工作于2021年3月27日至4月2日期间开展。
#### 数据综合分析
母乳对哺乳母亲与婴幼儿均具有多重益处。现有研究中，仅少数病例经实时聚合酶链反应（RTPCR）检测，在SARS-CoV-2检测阳性母亲的乳汁中检出病毒RNA，此类病例中的婴幼儿感染案例提示存在来自母体或第三方的经口传播风险。目前尚未证实新型冠状病毒在人乳中具有致病性，但已明确母乳中可产生大量特异性抗体。
#### 结论
在新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情背景下开展母乳喂养，其获益大于经垂直传播的潜在风险，因此在条件允许时应鼓励母乳喂养。