Benedetta De Santis

Dr. Benedetta De Santis


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 May 2025 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMaria Di Chiara
Maria Di Chiara
BSBenedetta De Santis
Benedetta De Santis
FGFlavia Gloria
Flavia Gloria
FNFabio Natale
Fabio Natale
AFAnnarita Ferazzoli
Annarita Ferazzoli
Gianluca TerrinGianluca Terrin
Gianluca Terrin
Objectives: The hospital organizational model can have an impact on people’s health. A critical lesson can be drawn from the pandemic. The possible negative sequelae of the practice of separation of maternal–infant dyads adopted during an infant’s first SARS-CoV-2 pandemic infection on infants have not been considered. Our purpose was to investigate the short- and long-term effects on neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers of two different mother–infant dyad management strategies after birth (Separation vs. Rooming-In). Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 60 pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and their newborns. We identified two cohorts of study based on mother–infant dyad management after delivery: Cohort A (Separation) and Cohort B (Rooming-In). Inclusion criteria were neonates born from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the pregnancy undergoing or not undergoing separation. Main Outcome: Rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months of age was the primary outcome. The rate of mother–infant transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, growth, incidence of acute infections and neurodevelopment up to 12 months of life were also evaluated. Results: In total, 60 mother–infant dyads (maternal age 30.6 vs. 33.8 years, p = 0.335; gestational age 39.0 vs. 38.9 weeks, p = 0.451) were enrolled at delivery, and 53 dyads completed the study at the 6-month follow-up. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. At 6-month follow-up, the rate of breastfeeding was significantly decreased in Cohort A compared with Cohort B (4% vs. 46%, p < 0.001). The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was similar between the two cohorts of the study. Weight gain at 6 months of life was significantly higher in Cohort A compared to Cohort B (8129 g, 95% CI, 7562 to 8695; vs. 7393 g, 95% CI, 6912 to 7874; p = 0.005). No differences were detected in terms of rate of acute neonatal infections and neurodevelopment outcomes. Conclusions: The separation practice led to a reduction in the rate of breastfeeding after discharge and to a consequently increased implementation of formula milk, which might justify the alarming increased weight gain of newborns who did not undergo the Rooming-In practice. Given the potential of recurrent outbreaks of other viral pandemics, our results suggest more caution early in life towards the disruption of consolidated procedures that may have long-term consequences. However, the COVID-19 pandemic offered a unique context to observe the effects of temporary mother–infant separation; clinicians should be reassured that the temporary separation practice did not affect neurodevelopment and be aware that it could be considered an option, at least if Rooming-In cannot be carried out due to severe reasons such as lack of staff or adequate space.