A new scientific investigation has revealed a possible connection between COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and an elevated likelihood of autism-related behaviors in male children. Published in the journal Cell, the study underscores how a mother’s immune response to the virus – not the virus itself may play a critical role in affecting early brain development.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) conducted the study using both human data and controlled animal experiments. They discovered that male offspring of mothers who contracted SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy showed a higher tendency toward behaviors commonly associated with autism, such as repetitive movements and reduced social interaction. Interestingly, this pattern was not found in female offspring, suggesting that male fetuses might be more vulnerable to certain inflammatory responses during gestation.
The team identified that the key factor influencing this developmental change appears to be the body’s inflammatory immune response. When a pregnant individual is infected with the virus, the immune system produces signaling molecules like interleukin-17 (IL-17), which have previously been linked to neurodevelopmental changes. The study’s authors tested this hypothesis by exposing pregnant mice to a synthetic compound that triggers similar immune reactions. The male pups from these mice later exhibited social deficits resembling autism-like behaviors. However, when IL-17 signaling was blocked, these effects disappeared, offering compelling evidence that inflammation may be the primary cause rather than direct viral transmission.
Despite these findings, experts caution that the study shows only an increased risk, not a guarantee of autism development. Many children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy show completely typical development. Researchers also emphasized that preventive health measures, including vaccination and infection control, remain essential during pregnancy. Vaccination helps reduce the severity of COVID-19, potentially limiting the body’s inflammatory response and the associated risks.
This research adds to growing scientific interest in how maternal health and immune activity during pregnancy influence long-term child development. While more studies are needed to confirm these findings in larger and more diverse populations, the evidence provides an important reminder of the need for continued public health efforts to protect pregnant individuals from viral infections.
As scientists continue to explore the link between prenatal inflammation and neurodevelopmental outcomes, this study offers both caution and hope – caution in recognizing the potential risks of infection, and hope that understanding the underlying mechanisms could lead to better prevention and early intervention strategies for at-risk children.
