Infection Prevention and Control
Rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates do not appear to be affected by mode of delivery, method of infant feeding, or contact with a mother with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All neonates born to mothers with suspected or confirmed infection should be considered as having suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection when test results are not available.In general, mothers with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and their neonates should be isolated from other healthy mothers and neonates and cared for according to recommended infection prevention and control practices for routine healthcare delivery. If a neonate does not remain in the mother’s room, facilities should consider the institution’s capacity and resources as well as the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to other high-risk neonates when determining where the neonate should be isolated.
Isolating infants with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) should be avoided unless the neonate’s clinical condition warrants NICU admission. Locating neonates with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a NICU may unnecessarily increase the risk of exposing other vulnerable infants and NICU staff to SARS-CoV-2. In some hospitals, a NICU may be the only suitable environment for appropriate care of an isolated neonate. Therefore, determination about best placement should be made at the facility level.
Snippet from: cdc.gov/caring for newborns