According to NNA, the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency department at Rafik Al-Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) just confirmed that a baby was born in the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency room to a mother suspected of carrying the virus.
The doctors in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the hospital performed a cesarean section at the coronavirus (COVID-19) ER, in cooperation with the medical and nursing staff at the coronavirus department.
Members of the obstetrics and gynecology team noticed that a pregnant lady was showing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus (COVID-19) like coughing, phlegm, and shortness of breath.
After transferring the pregnant lady to the coronavirus ER, doctors made sure to wear protective clothing and glasses to prevent infection. The process successfully culminated in the birth of a healthy child.
RHUH confirmed that this was the first practical application of the protocol developed by the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the hospital.
This new protocol was established in anticipation of giving birth to pregnant women suspected of being infected or have been tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
It has also been made, according to RHUH, to protect the medical and nursing staff from any viral infection, as well as to ensure the safety of the mother and her newborn.
The medical team decided to put the baby in the “incubator” (Couveuse) device next to his mother. They were both placed in the isolation room inside the hospital and subjected to scheduled medical examinations.
The mother is suspected to have coronavirus but the test results have not come out yet.
The doctors who delivered the baby confirmed that the baby is in good health and does not show any symptoms consistent with the COVID-19. However, if the mother tested positive, the baby might be at a higher risk.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, a study of nine pregnant women who were infected with COVID-19 and had symptoms showed that none of their babies were affected by the virus.
“The virus was not present in amniotic fluid, the babies’ throats, or in breast milk. The risk of passing the infection to the fetus appears to be very low.”
Harvard Medical School confirmed that, according to its research, there is no evidence of any fetal malformations or effects due to maternal infection with COVID-19.
As of March 22nd, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Lebanon has reached 248 cases.
