BAPM and RCPCH have issued a statement on categorising COVID-19 risk for the newborn.
On 21st August, NHS England in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Public Health England and Public Health Wales published: "COVID-19: Guidance for the remobilisation of services within health and care settings. Infection prevention and control recommendations."
Categorisation of risk status for the neonate has implications for use of PPE within the labour ward and neonatal unit (NNU) – specifically if any AGP is required. Routine testing of the newborn is not currently standard practice across the UK and recent UK data indicate very low rates of neonates being infected with SARS-CoV-2.
This statement outlines recommendations for categorising the COVID-19 risk for newborns based on maternal swabs and prevalence in the local population.
If you have any questions or wish to offer any feedback please contact the BAPM Office. The statement is available below and on the BAPM Perinatal COVID-19 Resources page.
