A new large U.S. cohort study suggests maternal COVID‑19 infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring by age three.
Boston, U.S. — Children born to mothers who contracted COVID‑19 during pregnancy appear to face a higher risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders by age three, a new retrospective cohort study led by Mass General Brigham (MGB) reports.
What was done, and what was found
Researchers analysed data from over 18,000
births between March 2020 and May 2021 in the Mass General Brigham health
system... (see CRN Times web version for full details).
Why this matters
This study adds to a growing body of
research suggesting that maternal infections and immune responses during
pregnancy may impact fetal brain development.
What we don’t know yet / study limitations
The study is observational and does not
prove causation. Confounding factors such as maternal health conditions and
socioeconomic variables may influence both infection risk and
neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Expert commentary
Dr. Lydia Shook emphasized parental
awareness of potential developmental outcomes, while Dr. Andrea Edlow
highlighted the need for vaccination and prevention efforts.
Mechanistic
insight
Viral infections in pregnancy may affect the
fetal brain through maternal immune activation, placental inflammation, or
impaired physiology.
Implications & next steps
Public‑health: Encourage vaccination during
pregnancy. Clinical: Monitor exposed children for developmental delay.
Research: Expand to vaccinated cohorts and longer follow‑up.
While the findings do not prove causation,
they underscore the importance of prevention and early screening for at‑risk
children.
This article was researched and written
exclusively by CRN Times editorial staff using verifiable sources and
fact‑checking protocols.
By: María Pérez | Editor‑in‑Chief
Published: 04/11/2025 | Updated: 04/11/2025