A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has found an increased risk of autism in children whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy. According to the study, nearly 11% of these children showed signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 28 months of age, significantly higher than the norm for this age (1-2%).
The study, led by Dr. Karin Nielsen, began early in the pandemic, when COVID-19 was spreading rapidly through California. The doctor noticed serious complications in pregnant women requiring intensive care and even emergency cesarean sections. This prompted Nielsen to study the impact of COVID-19 on the development of children born to mothers who had survived the infection.
According to the results of the first phase of the study, most children born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 required intensive care after birth. A few months later, 12% of them were found to have developmental delays. Moreover, by 28 months of age, almost 11% of such children showed signs of autism, which is a significant deviation from the norm.
Although the exact mechanism of the link between COVID-19 and autism is not yet established, scientists suggest that inflammation in a pregnant woman's body may affect fetal brain development. There is also evidence that the virus can cross the placental barrier, causing severe damage to the placenta and interrupting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
However, the study results have some limitations, as it was conducted on a small sample, and larger studies are needed for more precise conclusions. However, researchers are already emphasizing the importance of early detection of possible developmental disorders in children born during the pandemic, as this allows for timely initiation of therapies that can improve the child's quality of life.
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 loss of the baby.
