COVID-19 and human milk: SARS-CoV-2, antibodies, and neutralizing capacity.
Ryan M PaceJanet E WilliamsKirsi M JärvinenMandy B BelfortChristina Dw PaceKimberly A LackeyAlexandra C GogelPhuong Nguyen-ContantPreshetha KanagaiahTheresa FitzgeraldRita FerriBridget YoungCasey Rosen-CaroleNichole DiazCourtney MeehanBeatrice CaffeMark Y SangsterDavid J TophamMark A McGuireAntti SeppoMichelle K McGuirePublished in: medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences (2020)
Our data do not support maternal-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via milk; however, risk of transmission via breast skin should be further evaluated. Importantly, milk produced by infected mothers is a source of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 activity. These results support recommendations to continue breastfeeding during mild-to-moderate maternal COVID-19 illness.