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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is characterized by widespread inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with systemic manifestations. Inflammation is one of the driving forces for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its dreaded complications like myocardial infarction (MI). Yet, the association between IBD and myocardial infarction has not been thoroughly established. Myocardial infarction in IBD patients was predominantly seen in young women during the active disease process. At the same time, elevated levels of C-reactive protein and other proinflammatory markers were observed in both IBD and atherosclerosis. Increasing evidence suggests inflammation inhibits fibrinolysis, expresses procoagulants, and suppresses anticoagulants promoting thrombosis formation. Moreover, the alteration of gut microbiota impacts the pathogenesis of inflammation and predisposes one to ischemic heart disease. Accordingly, all IBD patients should be screened and counseled on lifestyle modifications for the traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis. Future researchers should consider conducting more clinical trials on anti-inflammatory medication targeting atherosclerosis and therapeutics, while targeting the gut microbiota to reverse the inflammatory atherosclerotic process.

Objectives: To assess risks of mother to child horizontal transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus during rooming in and breastfeeding in infants born to mothers with the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Design: Retrospective observational study. Participants: Five tertiary care centers located in the United Arab Emirates. Infants born to mothers positive for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the time of delivery, born between April 1 and October 30, 2020. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the newborn care practices in various tertiary care hospitals and the rate of horizontal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant (horizontal) while rooming in, breastfeeding, and post-discharge. Results: There were total of 2,405 deliveries in the 5 stated hospitals of which 40 infants were born to mothers with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR at the time of delivery. One infant tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after birth at 24 h of life and had respiratory symptoms and fever. Twenty-three of the well infants were roomed in during their hospital stay and were breastfed. In 8 cases, the mother and baby were separated and isolated from the time of birth till discharge. 95% of the discharged infants were rooming in with mothers, 45% of the infants were exclusively breastfed, and 55% were on mixed feeding (breast milk and formula milk) at the follow-up. None of the infants developed significant health issues or symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: The risk of mother to infant horizontal transmission of COVID-19 in the perinatal period is very low. Our study reaffirms the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that rooming in and breastfeeding of newborns born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers is safe without an increased risk of horizontal transmission by following mandated safety precautions.

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ObjectivesTo assess newborn care practices, clinical characters and risks of mother to child transmission during rooming in and breastfeeding in infants born to mothers with COVID-19.DesignRetrospective observational study.Participants5 Tertiary care centers located in the UAE. Infants born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of delivery, born between April 1st and October 30th 2020.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the newborn care practices in various tertiary care hospitals and the rate of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant (vertical or horizontal) while rooming in, breastfeeding and post discharge. Results40 infants were born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of delivery. One infant tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after birth and had respiratory symptoms and fever. 23 of the well infants were roomed in during their hospital stay and were breastfed. In 8 cases, the mother and baby were separated and isolated from the time of birth till discharge. 95% of the discharged infants were rooming in with mothers, 45% of the infants were exclusively breastfed and 55% were on mixed feeding (breast milk and formula milk) at the follow-up. None of the infants developed significant health issues or symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionThe risk of mother to infant transmission of COVID-19 in the perinatal period is very low. Our study reaffirms the AAP guidelines that rooming in and breastfeeding of newborns born to COVID-19 positive mothers is safe without an increased risk of transmission by following mandated safety precautions.