A recent study led by the University of Bristol has found that exposure to COVID-19 during pregnancy or shortly after birth may have long-term effects on children’s development and respiratory health. The research team aimed to investigate the impact of the virus on babies’ social and breathing issues.

Published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, the study revealed that children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 while in the womb or as newborns could experience delays in social development and an increased risk of breathing problems. The team conducted surveys among families from 87 NHS hospitals in England and Wales to compare the outcomes of children with perinatal or antenatal COVID-19 exposure to those without exposure.

Although the overall development at two years did not show significant differences between the two groups, children with COVID-19 exposure were found to have a slightly delayed social-emotional development. Additionally, those exposed to the virus in the womb had a higher risk of developing respiratory issues, leading to increased outpatient consultations and hospitalizations by the age of two.

Dr. Ela Chakkarapani, a lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of monitoring children’s development and lung function over the long term to understand and address any potential risks associated with perinatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and guide healthcare policies for monitoring children’s health after exposure to the virus.