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Covid in pregnancy tied to autism, developmental issues, study says
Researchers found maternal COVID-19 during pregnancy raises autism and neurodevelopmental disorder risk by 29%, especially when infection occurs in the third trimester.
- A study in Obstetrics & Gynecology by Mass General Brigham found children born to mothers with Covid-19 during pregnancy may be more likely to receive neurodevelopmental diagnoses, including autism.
- Using an early-pandemic, largely unvaccinated cohort, the team analyzed births from March 2020–May 2021 with about 93% of mothers unvaccinated, building on prior literature on maternal infections and immune activation.
- Looking at exposed versus unexposed subgroups, the team found that about 16.3% of 861 children born to SARS‑CoV‑2–positive mothers received neurodevelopmental diagnoses by age three, compared with about 9.7% of 17,263 unexposed children.
- Dr. Lydia Shook urged parental awareness for proper evaluation, while researchers stressed preventing Covid-19 in pregnancy and Roy Perlis noted the overall risk likely remains low.
- Risk was highest for boys and after third‑trimester infection, with authors citing biological evidence and urging more study amid vaccine guidance debate and public health messaging.
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39 Articles
The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Children exposed to Covid in the womb face higher risk of autism, study finds
·London, United Kingdom
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COVID in pregnancy raises child’s risk for developmental disorders — Harvard Gazette
Health COVID in pregnancy raises child’s risk for developmental disorders Infection poses greatest threat during third trimester, according to study analyzing more than 18,000 births during pandemic peak Mass General Brigham Communication October 31, 2025 2 min read Getty Images Children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated risk of developmental disorders by the time they turn…
·Harvard, United States
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The risk is higher for those who contracted the infection during the third trimester of pregnancy
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Total News Sources39
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 32%
C 59%
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