A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has shown an increased risk of autism in children whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy. According to the results of the study, almost 11% of such children showed signs of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at the age of 28 months, which is significantly higher than the norm for this age (1-2%).
The study, conducted by Dr. Karin Nielsen, began at the beginning of the pandemic, when COVID-19 was actively spreading through California. The doctor drew attention to serious complications in pregnant women that required intensive therapy and even emergency caesarean sections. This prompted Nielsen to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the development of children born to mothers who survived the infection.
According to the results of the first stage of the study, the majority of children born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 required intensive care after birth. A few months later, 12% of them had developmental delays. What's more, at 28 months of life, almost 11% of such children showed signs of autism, which is a significant deviation from the norm.
Despite the fact that the exact mechanism of the connection between COVID-19 and autism has not yet been established, scientists suggest that inflammation in the body of a pregnant woman can affect the development of the fetus's brain. There is also evidence that the virus can cross the placental barrier, causing severe damage to the placenta and cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
However, the results of the study have some limitations, as it was conducted on a small sample, and larger studies are needed for more accurate conclusions. However, researchers are already emphasizing the importance of early detection of possible developmental disorders in children born during the pandemic, as this allows timely initiation of therapies that can improve the quality of life of the child.
The study also highlights the importance of vaccinating pregnant women to reduce the risk of serious complications associated with COVID-19, including premature birth and infant loss.
