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News
Babies born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy are not at greater risk for most neurodevelopmental disorders, according to a large Norwegian study. Researchers tracked over 200,000 children and found no elevated risk for autism, epilepsy, or motor disorders — though a modest link to speech and language delays was noted. The findings offer some reassurance to parents and clinicians alike.
Good news for worried parents: a large study published in JAMA Network Open found that babies exposed to COVID-19 in the womb are not at significantly higher risk for most neurodevelopmental or neurologic disorders. Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health analyzed data on over 204,000 children born during the pandemic, the majority of whom were exposed to the Omicron variant.
Of the children studied, about 8% had in utero COVID exposure. Across seven of eight conditions examined — including autism, epilepsy, intellectual disorders, and motor disorders — no increased risk was found. The one exception: a modest association with developmental speech or language disorders, though this was only observed in a specific subgroup analysis.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Prior research on this topic has been inconsistent, leaving clinicians and expectant parents uncertain. This large, registry-based study provides meaningful reassurance, though researchers note that further studies across different populations are still needed.
