COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase risk of autism in children - study

According to a new study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), coronavirus in pregnant women may increase the risk of autism in children.

This was reported by Bloomberg , UNN and UNN.

Details

In early 2020, when COVID-19 was spreading across California, Dr. Karin Nielsen, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, observed a crisis situation in maternity wards.

Pregnant women were put on life support, underwent emergency cesarean sections, and some even died.

Nielsen, who had previously studied the effects of the Zika virus on pregnant women, suspected that COVID-19 might have a similar impact. She began a study involving pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Later, doctors at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA noticed that many of the babies born to the mothers in the study required intensive care.

When analyzing motor functions using the General Movement Assessment technique, 14% of children showed signs of developmental disorders. A few months later, the researchers observed even more alarming results. At the age of 6-8 months, 12% of infants born to infected mothers did not reach the main developmental milestones. By comparison, all children in the control group (born before the pandemic) developed normally.

When the oldest of these children reached the age of 28 months, the study revealed another disturbing trend: almost 11% of the children showed signs of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This is much higher than the expected rate of 1-2% for this age.

Although the link between COVID-19 and autism remains unconfirmed, several studies, including Nielsen's, point to possible risks. One mechanism that could explain these phenomena is inflammation in the pregnant woman's body, which disrupts fetal brain development.

Unique effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy

COVID-19 has proven to be able to penetrate the placental barrier, as confirmed by research by the World Health Organization in 2021. Some cases had catastrophic consequences - the virus infection of the placenta led to its damage, stopping the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. In particular, during the Alpha outbreak in Ireland, a cluster of stillbirths associated with these lesions was reported. Similar cases have been reported in the United States and at least 10 other countries.

Research challenges and next steps

While Nielsen's findings are concerning, they are based on a small sample (less than 250 mother-child pairs). A more accurate analysis requires large studies, which were difficult to conduct during the pandemic due to medical restrictions.

Researchers emphasize that early detection of developmental problems in children born during the pandemic is crucial. Detecting developmental delays opens up access to therapies that can significantly improve a child's quality of life.

Studies have also confirmed that vaccination of pregnant women reduces the risk of serious complications caused by COVID-19, including premature birth and child loss.

Scientists warn against premature conclusions, emphasizing that autism is a complex condition that depends on many factors, including genetics. However, Nielsen's work is an important step in understanding the impact of the pandemic on future generations.

Recall

The scandalous study on the use of hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19 has been officially withdrawn.