In-Utero Exposure to COVID-19 Linked to Neurodevelopmental Impairment in infants

New research sheds light on the potential impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on infants' neurodevelopment when exposed in utero. A prospective cohort study conducted in a low-income area in Brazil examined the neurodevelopment of babies exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy compared to a control group of unexposed infants. This study was published in the International Journal Of Infectious Diseases by Carolina A D and colleagues.

The study followed 127 infants for one year, comprising 69 from the COVID-19-exposed group (EG) and 68 from the control group (CG). Notably, all mothers were unvaccinated at the time of the cohort's inclusion, and demographics between the two groups were similar.

The findings revealed significant differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes between the exposed and control groups:

• Increased Risk of Impairment: Babies in the COVID-19-exposed group had a notably higher risk of neurodevelopmental delay within the first year of life compared to the control group (20.3% vs. 5.9%; p=0.013, RR= 3.44; 95% CI, 1.19- 9.95).
• Temporal Impact: Within the exposed group, the prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) was 35.7% at 4 months, 7% at 6 months, and 32.1% at 12 months.

Specifically, fine motor skills and personal-social subdomains appeared most vulnerable to delays among the exposed infants. Additionally, 10% of the exposed infants showed abnormal results in cranial sonography, suggesting potential neurological implications.

This study highlights a concerning association between in-utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment in infants. The findings emphasize the need for specialized guidelines and attentive follow-up protocols for high-risk infants born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy. Such measures could mitigate potential long-term health effects on the affected children.

Understanding the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on offspring's neurodevelopment underscores the urgency of tailored interventions and heightened surveillance to safeguard the well-being of at-risk infants.

Reference:

Santos, C. A. D., Paula, A. P., Filho, G. G. F., Alves, M. M., Nery, A. F., Pontes, M. G. A., Macedo, E. Y. L., Jr, R. M. O., Freitas, S. M., Lima, S., Varela, F. V. C., Viana, A. L. S., Silva, A. L. P., Silva, É. G. C., & D’Souza-Li, L. Developmental impairment in children exposed during pregnancy to maternal SARS-COV2: A Brazilian cohort study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases: IJID: Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases,2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2023.12.001