Researchers revealed that the harmful effects of the Corona virus may extend across generations, as children whose mothers were exposed to the infection during pregnancy are more susceptible to developing autism spectrum disorder compared to their peers.
A research team from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston analyzed data from thousands of births that took place during the peak of the pandemic, discovering that women who were exposed to the infection during pregnancy were significantly more likely, albeit at a modest rate, to give birth to children who were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental problems.
Although these results are not considered conclusive, they raise important questions about the long-term impact of maternal infections during pregnancy. The researchers also emphasized in their paper published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, “the importance of long-term neurodevelopmental monitoring of children who were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus while in the womb.”
It is scientifically known that the Coronavirus poses a greater risk to pregnant women, as previous studies have shown that pregnant women are more susceptible to severe infections, while their children may face an increased risk of premature birth and other complications.
But this study goes further, as it focused on examining the possibility that Corona infection during pregnancy may cause an increased risk for the child to develop autism.
Autism is a complex condition that usually arises from a combination of different factors, including genetics, but previous research has also indicated a link between some maternal infections - including fever - and an increased risk of autism in the child.
The study included an analysis of the data of more than 18,000 women who gave birth to children within the Massachusetts Hospital health care system between March 2020 and May 2021. Among these, about 860 children were born to mothers who tested positive for Corona during pregnancy.
Compared with children of uninfected mothers, these children showed significantly higher rates of being diagnosed with autism or other neurodevelopmental problems, such as delayed speech, by age three.
After accounting for all other influential factors, the researchers found that exposure to Corona during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of children developing neurodevelopmental conditions by 29%, and this risk was more evident in two cases:
It is important to note that this study is observational, which means that it cannot prove a direct causal relationship between the mother’s infection with Corona and the child’s autism.
The researchers also confirm that the additional risk associated with Corona remains relatively small, but they nevertheless advise pregnant women to reduce the risk of exposure to infection, especially in light of the increasing evidence on how viral infections affect pregnancy and children.
Dr. Andrea Edlow, a professor specializing in maternal-fetal medicine, comments: “These results highlight that Corona, like many other types of infections during pregnancy, may pose risks not only to the mother, but to the development of the fetal brain.”
She added that the study “supports the importance of trying to prevent Corona infection during pregnancy, and is especially relevant in light of the decline in public confidence in vaccines - including the Corona vaccine.”
Although Corona no longer poses the threat it once did, the virus is still present, and this study emphasizes the need for further research to understand the possible relationship between infection with the virus and autism - especially since high fever, which is a major symptom of Corona, is a known risk factor for autism during pregnancy.
Pending this research, the most important advice remains to adhere to preventive measures and obtain approved vaccines.
