COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism in children

Coronavirus infection during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including autism.

As reported by BAKU.WS, scientists from the USA came to this conclusion. The results of their research are published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology (O&G).

Scientists analyzed more than 18 thousand births in Massachusetts from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. The analysis showed that 861 mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy. Approximately 16% of children born in this group were diagnosed with autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders by the age of three. Among children of women who were not infected with coronavirus, this figure was 9.7%.

The most pronounced association was observed with COVID-19 infection in the third trimester. In addition, the correlation was stronger when analyzing the health of male children. According to the researchers, these data emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring of the development of children whose mothers had coronavirus during pregnancy.

The authors clarify that their work does not prove that COVID-19 causes autism, but only indicates a possible link between infection and the risk of developmental disorders.

"This doesn't mean that every pregnant woman with COVID-19 needs to worry that her child will have autism," said Andrea Edlow, co-author of the study and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School, in a comment to The Washington Post.