Recommendations for care and attention of premature newborn in times of COVID-19 pandemic: Integrated Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: To describe recommendations for the care and handling of preterm infants in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Methods: Integrated Literature Review (ILR) conducted in 2020 in databases in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) by extracting scientific productions from the databases: MEDLINE, SCIELO, PUBMED and LILACS, with a final sample of 14 publications. Results: Among the recommendations found in the studies analyzed, regarding childbirth, it is recommended to choose the best time, route and place, prioritizing the use of a negative pressure room. After delivery, newborns should have the umbilical cord clamped, be cleaned and dried as soon as possible, and isolated and tested early. After initial care, the use of a mask and hand hygiene is recommended before each meal or other close contact with the newborn. Ideally, suspected or contaminated RN should be kept in isolation and constantly monitored, with a quarantine period of at least 14 days. Conclusions: The knowledge of nurses and other health care professionals about prevention and control measures for newborn infection with COVID-19 is critical to the prevention, control, and reduction of the impact of the pandemic on the neonatal population.