Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Children born to women who were infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancies are more prone to autism, Massachusetts General Hospital researchers reported.
A positive test for COVID-19 during pregnancy resulted in a 29% higher risk of developing a neurodevelopmental disorder in the children after birth, the researchers said in a report published Thursday, according to The Hill.
"These findings highlight that COVID-19, like many other infections in pregnancy, may pose risks not only to the mother, but also to fetal brain development," senior author Andrea Edlow said in a statement.
"They also support the importance of trying to prevent COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and are particularly relevant when public trust in vaccines -- including the COVID-19 vaccine -- is being eroded," Edlow added.
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