Getting COVID-19 while pregnant does not harm development of unborn child’s brain

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Catching Covid during pregnancy does not harm development of the unborn child's brain, according to new research.

Moms-to-be are more vulnerable because of extra pressure on the heart and lungs - which affects breathing. Infections can cause inflammation in growing fetuses leading to birth defects - such as cerebral palsy.

But that does not appear to be the case with the coronavirus, say scientists.

The finding is based on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of 33 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Loss of sense of smell and taste, dry cough, fever and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms.

The German participants were roughly 28 weeks into their pregnancy. They had been diagnosed with Covid almost 10 weeks earlier on average.

"In our study, there was no evidence a maternal Covid infection has any effect on the brain development of the unborn child," said senior author Dr. Sophia Stocklein, of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

"This fact should help to reassure affected parents."

Advice for pregnant women has been cautious with the NHS putting them in a 'clinically vulnerable' group.

But evidence is lacking about the likelihood and consequences of it passing to the fetus, known as 'vertical transmission'.

"Women infected during pregnancy are concerned the virus may affect the development of their unborn child - as is the case with some other viral infections," Stocklein said.

"So far - although there are a few reports of vertical transmission - the exact risk and impact remain largely unclear.

"The aim of our study was to fill this gap in knowledge regarding the impact of a maternal Covid infection on foetal brain development.”

Radiologists with several years experience in examining fetal images found brain development was age-appropriate in all cases.

There were no findings indicative of infection in the assessed areas, said Stocklein.

None of the mothers required hospitalization. She recommended pregnant women get vaccinated and keep wearing masks.

"Since the impact of severe infection on brain development in the fetus has not been conclusively determined, active protection against infection during pregnancy remains important," Srocklein said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for anyone over 12, including women planning a family.

It says the vaccine reduces the risk of severe illness.

Only about 15 percent of pregnant women in the UK have been fully vaccinated - compared to 79 percent of all over 12.

"So far, vaccination is the most promising protection against COVID-19," Stocklein said.

"Any potential side effects are manageable - even in pregnant women.

"Therefore, despite the encouraging results of our study, pregnant women should strongly consider vaccination."

The children's health - including their neurological development - will be will be monitored in detail over the next five years.

Earlier this year a study of 4,000 women in the UK and US found Covid did not increase the risk of a pregnancy going wrong.

They were no more likely to have a miscarriage, stillbirth or low birth weight baby than uninfected peers.

Stocklein presented the study at a meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.