Study links prenatal COVID to modest developmental delays

A Massachusetts General Hospital study of more than 18,000 pregnancies found children exposed to maternal COVID were slightly more likely to receive neurodevelopmental diagnoses by age 3, mostly speech or motor delays. The association was strongest after third-trimester infection and in boys, though most children developed typically. Universal testing from March 2020 to May 2021 clarified exposure; about 5% of mothers had COVID. Researchers stress the study shows correlation, not causation, and plan follow-up. Experts point to inflammation in pregnancy as a plausible mechanism. Separate studies report no link between prenatal COVID vaccination and early developmental delays.

Reviewed by JQJO team

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