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New Study Links COVID in Pregnancy to Autism Risk in Children

The study found a 29% higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders by age 3 in children exposed to maternal COVID-19 in the third trimester, with boys most affected.

  • Between March 2020 and May 2021, Massachusetts General Brigham researchers found 16.3% of children born between March 2020 and May 2021 exposed in utero to maternal COVID were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders versus 9.7% of unexposed peers.
  • Researchers found the link strongest when infection occurred late in pregnancy, with effects concentrated among male offspring showing higher autism and developmental delays, Edlow and Perlis reported.
  • After adjusting for maternal and birth factors, the analysis found infection during pregnancy was linked to a 29% higher risk, universal testing at delivery identified exposures, and 5% of mothers had COVID during pregnancy.
  • Edlow and Perlis warned the findings show association, not causation, and experts emphasized vaccination is safe in pregnancy and the best intervention while advising monitoring of exposed children.
  • Biological research points to maternal inflammation disrupting synaptic pruning and fetal brain development, and Edlow and Perlis' research team plans long-term follow-up and calls for larger, longer studies.
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New Study Links COVID in Pregnancy to Autism Risk in Children

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TV 2 broke the news in on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
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