Children born during the COVID-19 pandemic to mothers who contracted the virus while pregnant face a higher risk of developing autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions, according to a new study published this week in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The research, led by scientists at Massachusetts General Brigham in Boston, analyzed more than 18,000 births that took place between March 2020 and May 2021, a period before COVID-19 vaccines were widely available to pregnant women.
The study, which was released on October 30, 2025, found that children whose mothers tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with autism or other developmental issues by the age of three, compared to their peers whose mothers did not contract the virus. The risk was especially pronounced among boys and when the infection occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy. "These findings highlight that COVID-19, like many other infections in pregnancy, may pose risks not only to the mother, but to fetal brain development," senior author Andrea Edlow, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Mass General Brigham, said in a statement quoted by both Obstetrics & Gynecology and The Washington Post.
The researchers combed through medical records from the Mass General Brigham health care system, focusing on 861 women who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 during their pregnancies. Of these, 140 children—just over 16%—were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder by age three. In contrast, less than 10% of children born to mothers who did not have COVID-19 during pregnancy received such a diagnosis, according to the study.
While the research is observational and cannot prove causation, the authors emphasize that the correlation is strong enough to warrant further investigation and greater vigilance. "These findings highlight the importance of long-term neurodevelopmental monitoring for SARS-CoV-2–exposed children," the authors wrote in their paper. The study’s results align with previous research indicating that maternal infections—including those involving fever—can increase the risk of autism in children, though autism is a complex condition influenced by a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant at a time when public trust in vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, has been eroding. Andrea Edlow, the study’s senior author, pointed out, "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." According to The Washington Post, Edlow’s remarks underscore the importance of prevention, especially as the overall risk of a developmental disorder diagnosis remains low, but not negligible.
Earlier this year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—a prominent vaccine skeptic—announced that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be recommended for healthy pregnant women, a decision that has drawn criticism from many in the medical community. Kennedy has a history of making comments linking vaccines to autism, despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing no association. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, among other expert groups, continues to recommend maternal vaccination against COVID-19 and other common infections such as influenza and RSV.
The issue of vaccine hesitancy has become even more complicated as misinformation continues to spread. According to Gizmodo, both Kennedy and former President Donald Trump have promoted the debunked theory that vaccines can cause autism. In September, the Trump administration claimed to have found a link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism—a claim that many autism researchers have criticized as being based on weak evidence at best. At a White House press conference, Trump and Kennedy warned mothers against taking Tylenol during pregnancy and suggested that the Food and Drug Administration would add warning labels to the medication.
Despite these controversies, federal vaccine advisors now recommend that all Americans, regardless of risk factors, consult with their medical providers about whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated, but that guidance was revoked earlier this year by Kennedy, further muddying the waters for expectant mothers seeking clear public health advice.
Lead author Lydia Shook, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized the importance of parental awareness and advocacy. "Parental awareness of the potential for adverse child neurodevelopmental outcomes after COVID-19 in pregnancy is key. By understanding the risks, parents can appropriately advocate for their children to have proper evaluation and support," Shook said in a statement reported by The Washington Post. The study’s authors stress that while the increased risk is statistically significant, the absolute risk remains small, and most children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy will not develop autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
According to the study, the risk was highest when mothers contracted COVID-19 in the third trimester and among male children, echoing previous findings that boys are generally more susceptible to neurodevelopmental conditions. The researchers also noted that many of the women in the study had not received vaccinations, as the data was collected before vaccines were widely available to pregnant women.
COVID-19 has killed more than one million Americans in the past five years, and annual vaccinations have provided a layer of protection for many. Yet, as The Washington Post reports, fewer people have been getting vaccinated in recent years, and top administration officials have at times questioned the benefits or raised concerns about potential harms—often without robust scientific backing.
Looking ahead, the study’s authors call for more research to better understand the mechanisms by which maternal COVID-19 infection might affect fetal brain development. They also urge health care providers to monitor children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero for signs of developmental delays, so that early intervention and support can be provided if needed.
While COVID-19 is no longer the all-consuming threat it once was, it remains a significant concern for pregnant women and their families. The new findings add to a growing body of evidence that infections during pregnancy can have lasting effects on children’s health, reinforcing the importance of prevention, vaccination, and careful monitoring in the years to come.