COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy Linked to Potential Neurodevelopmental Risks, Study Shows
Boston, MA – A new study from Mass General Brigham has found a potential link between COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, in children. The research, published this week, adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that maternal infection can impact fetal brain development.
The study examined data from a cohort of pregnant individuals and their children, revealing a correlation between COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy and a higher incidence of neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers emphasize the findings underscore the importance of preventative measures, notably vaccination, to minimize risk during pregnancy.
“These findings highlight that COVID-19, like many othre infections in pregnancy, may pose risks not only to the mother, but to fetal brain development,” said Andrea Edlow, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Mass General Brigham and senior author of the study, in a statement. “They also support the importance of trying to prevent COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and are particularly relevant when public trust in vaccines-including the COVID-19 vaccine-is being eroded.”
The findings come at a time when public health recommendations surrounding COVID-19 vaccination have shifted. Earlier this year, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revoked the CDC’s recommendation that healthy pregnant women receive a COVID-19 vaccine. However, leading medical organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continue to recommend maternal vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
The current governance has also pursued other potential causes for autism, including a claim in September linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to the condition – a connection widely criticized by autism researchers as lacking strong evidence. Both Kennedy and former President Donald Trump have repeatedly promoted the discredited theory that vaccines can cause autism.
While COVID-19 is no longer considered the widespread public health emergency it once was, the virus continues to circulate. Researchers note that further examination is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly given that high fever during pregnancy – a common symptom of COVID-19 – is a known risk factor for autism. The study’s authors suggest that, at a minimum, adhering to vaccination recommendations remains a prudent course of action.
