Previous studies have shown that babies exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy may have slower lung growth and development delays in their first year of life. But its long-term effects on children born during the pandemic remained unknown until now. To know more about it, researchers from the University of Oxford, Imperial college London and the University of Leicester conducted a study. They wanted to know whether exposure to COVID-19 during pregnancy affected the development and breathing of babies as they grow older. Â
This study was published in eClinicalMedicine. In this study, researchers involved two groups of children such as the COVID-19 exposed group and the non-exposed group. The COVID-19 exposed group consisted of 96 babies whose mothers were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy. On the other hand, the non-exposed group consisted of 243 babies whose mothers did not get infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy. Parents of these children were asked about their child’s growth, breathing issues and healthcare use until the child turned 2 years old. Â
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that overall development at 2 years of age did not differ between the babies of both groups. But babies who were exposed to the virus had a risk of delayed social and emotional development. Researchers also found that babies who were exposed to COVID-19 around the time of birth had more breathing problems and needed more medical care. It also increases the rate of their hospital visits as compared to those who were not exposed. Â
One of the researchers says that being exposed to COVID-19 before or around the time of birth can increase the risk of delayed social and emotional development in early childhood. This delay in social and emotional development can affect a baby’s ability to make friends and success in school later on. So, there is a need for further research to reduce this risk. Â
The result of this study clearly shows babies who were exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy or around birth are at a higher risk. So, healthcare professionals should make some effective strategies to pay more attention while dealing with these babies. They should also check their lung functions and provide them with better medical care. Â
Reference Link:Â Â
Rebecca Jackson et al, Association of antenatal or neonatal SARS-COV-2 exposure with developmental and respiratory outcomes, and healthcare usage in early childhood: a national prospective cohort study, eClinicalMedicine (2024). Â
