COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy Linked to Poor Respiratory Health in Newborns

COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy Linked to Poor Respiratory Health in Newborns

A recent study published in Nature Communications has discovered a significant link between unvaccinated pregnant individuals who contract COVID-19 and the health of their newborns. More specifically, the study found that these infants had a increased likelihood of developing respiratory distress. The research enrolled over 200 women with COVID-19 in Los Angeles, with approximately 17% of their newborns diagnosed with respiratory issues. This is a higher than average number for newborns, leading to an average hospital stay of 24 days.

Interestingly, none of these newborns tested positive for COVID-19 at birth, suggesting the respiratory distress was indirectly caused by the maternal infection. Significantly, infants born to unvaccinated mothers were three times more likely to be diagnosed with respiratory distress compared to those born to mothers who had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These findings underline the importance of encouraging COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and further research to understand the impact of maternal COVID-19 vaccination on chronic pulmonary conditions in infants.

COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy Found Safe for Infants

A comprehensive study of almost 200,000 newborns in Sweden and Norway has concluded that maternal receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy poses no risk to infants. Instead, it prevents infants from suffering serious complications. The mortality rate for babies born to mothers who were vaccinated during pregnancy was half the rate of those whose mothers were unvaccinated.

The research included national birth registry data from births from gestational week 22 and onwards after COVID-19 vaccines were available in both countries. It was found that babies born to vaccinated mothers had lower odds for neonatal nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. The findings provide reassurance to public health authorities, clinicians, pregnant individuals, and their families.

Lower Risks Associated with Exposure to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy

A population-based cohort study from Sweden and Norway highlighted that exposure to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and neonatal mortality. The study included 94,303 infants exposed to COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and 102,167 control infants born between June 2021 and January 2023.

The study found that vaccination during pregnancy has been associated with reduced rates of COVID-19 in pregnant individuals and their newborn infants. Importantly, vaccination during pregnancy has not been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes or higher admission rates to neonatal care. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of neonatal safety for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, with particular priority given to explore neonatal cerebrovascular outcomes.

Understanding the Reduced Risk of Prematurity with COVID-19 Vaccination

A number of recent studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is not significantly associated with an increased preterm birth risk. In fact, vaccination in the third trimester was associated with a decreased risk of preterm birth, 5-min Apgar <7, and NICU admission. A study conducted in the USA also revealed that COVID-19 vaccination in mothers during pregnancy may lead to a reduced risk of respiratory distress in infants. This adds further weight to the argument for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, for the health and safety of both mother and child.