A medical worker examines a baby infected with COVID-19. (Photo: laichau.gov.vn)Infantswith COVID-19 can take home treatment if they are asymptomatic or have mildclinical symptoms and no serious symptoms.
Theministry’s guidance points out specific serious signals in the newborn such asbreastfeeding less, dozing off and finding it hard to wake up, signs ofrespiratory failure, groaning, wheezing, rising and falling nostrils, andapnea lasting more than 20 seconds.
Otherdanger signs are convulsions or spasticity; unusual movements; bodytemperature above 38 degrees Celsius, which does not improve after 48 hours;hypothermia below 36 degrees; red or pus-filled eyes, red or swollen bellybutton; signs of dehydration; and jaundice before three days of age, especiallywithin 24 hours of birth.
Continuousvomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, bloody stools are also serious signalsfor the babies’ digestive health.
Ifboth mother and infant are confirmed to have COVID-19, breastfeeding should bemaintained.
Ifthe baby has a stuffy nose, which causes difficulty when suckling, the baby'snose should be cleaned before feeding. If the baby is unable to suckle, use aspoon to feed breast milk to the baby.
Ifonly the mother is confirmed to have COVID-19, mothers and families should becounselled about breastfeeding and the risks.
Pregnantwomen who are treated at home also need to monitor their health status such asmeasuring their body temperature at least twice a day. They should countbreathing rate, pulse, SpO2 and blood pressure (if possible) daily.
Theymust also pay attention to fetal movements.
Oncefinding abnormal obstetric signs, they should immediately notify medical staffor visit a medical facility. It is also necessary to maintain regular antenatalcheck-ups.
Antenatalcheck-up is recommended at any time if abnormal signs are detected or whenindicated by medical staff.
Ifa pregnant woman with COVID-19 has antenatal care appointment and has noabnormal signs of obstetrics, a remote antenatal check-up can be performed orthe pregnant woman can wait until the end of isolation.
Pregnantwomen also need to follow a healthy diet, do exercises, supplement withmicronutrients, not take tobacco and be exposed to secondhand smoke, not usealcohol, beer and other stimulants or narcotics./.
VNA
