US EditionCovid in pregnancy tied to autism, developmental issues, study says
Children exposed in utero to maternal COVID-19 showed a 1.3 times higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders by age three, researchers found using data from 18,124 births.
- 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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31 Articles
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…
The risk is higher for those who contracted the infection during the third trimester of pregnancy
Study finds possible link between COVID in pregnancy and autism risk
A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that children born to women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy may face a higher risk of autism and other developmental disorders. However, researchers noted that the overall risk remains low. The research, published in The Washington Post, tracked more than 18,000 children born between March 2020 and May 2021 — a period before COVID-19 vaccines were widely available. What did the study…
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