Study Reveals: Children Exposed to SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy or as Newborns May Encounter Long-Term Social and Respiratory Challenges

 

Previous research hinted at the potential adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during pregnancy, including impaired lung development and delayed early growth, particularly noticeable in infants under 12 months old. However, the longer-term repercussions on children born during the pandemic, whether exposed or not, remained obscure until now.

Research Insights and Methodology

In this groundbreaking study, conducted by a collaboration between the University of Bristol, University of Oxford, Imperial College, and the University of Leicester, researchers delved into the extended impacts of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during pregnancy or in infancy on children’s development and respiratory health.

The research team reached out to families from 87 NHS hospitals in England and Wales, gathering data through surveys regarding their child’s development and respiratory well-being. The study encompassed 96 infants born to mothers exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and 243 infants in a non-exposed control group. Parents provided insights through surveys about their child’s developmental milestones, respiratory issues, and healthcare utilization until their second birthday.

Key Findings: Social-Emotional Development and Respiratory Health

The study unveiled that overall development at the age of two did not significantly vary between exposed and non-exposed children. However, the exposed cohort exhibited a slightly elevated risk of delayed social-emotional development.

Critically, children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during the perinatal period displayed heightened respiratory problems and increased healthcare service utilization compared to their non-exposed counterparts. This included more frequent inpatient, outpatient, and GP visits by the age of two.

Expert Insights

Samantha Johnson, a developmental psychologist and Professor of Child Development at the University of Leicester emphasized the significance of the study in shedding light on the enduring effects of COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy or early infancy on children’s development. While acknowledging the observed impacts, she stressed the necessity for further research to ascertain the sustainability of these effects into later childhood.

Dr. Ela Chakkarapani, an Associate Professor of Neonatal Neuroscience and Director of the Centre for Academic Child Health at Bristol Medical School, underscored the association between antenatal or neonatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and increased risk of social-emotional difficulties in early childhood. She emphasized the importance of vigilant monitoring of children’s lung function and healthcare usage over time to guide healthcare policies in safeguarding their well-being in future pandemics.