Covid virus and vaccines not linked to early child development issues, research suggests

Pregnant women who catch Covid-19 or receive the vaccine do not have an increased risk of their child having developmental health issues, research suggests.

A University of Edinburgh study of almost 25,000 babies born in Scotland during the pandemic found no link between concerns with a child’s development at 13 to 15 months and the mother contracting the virus during pregnancy.

Receiving the vaccine while pregnant also had no association with any developmental issues among the children in skills such as speech, thinking, movement and language, the study found.

Researchers say the findings provide important new data on the effects of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infections and vaccinations during pregnancy on early brain development.

Dr Iain Hardie, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, said: “Our study suggests that neither SARS-CoV-2 infection, nor COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy impact fetal brain development and subsequent child development up to age 13 to 15 months. These important findings can help inform clinical guidance, and reassure pregnant individuals of the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.”

A University of Edinburgh team measured relationships between virus infections and Covid-19 vaccinations while pregnant, and developmental concerns identified by the parents, caregivers and health visitors of children aged 13 to 15 months.

The researchers linked data from a previous Covid-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland (COPS study) to data from routine health reviews.

The reviews recorded any concerns with a child’s development, including speech and language skills, physical movement and emotional development.

The study assessed the majority of all children who were born in Scotland during the pandemic – those conceived after May 18, 2020 and born before September 30, 2021 – and their mothers.

The study examined whether children whose mothers had a Covid infection while they were pregnant were more likely to have developmental concerns. The study also then examined whether children whose mothers were vaccinated against Covid during pregnancy were more likely to have developmental concerns.

Researchers found no evidence of increased chances of developmental issues among children who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infections or vaccinations during pregnancy.

Findings were consistent regardless of the trimester the infection occurred or the trimester in which the vaccine was received.

The study, in partnership with Public Health Scotland, was conducted as part of the wider Covid -19 Health Impact on long-term Child Development in Scotland (CHILDS) study.

Principal researcher and originator of the CHILDS study, Dr Bonnie Auyeung, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, said: “We are delighted that our work has been recognised by the Lancet as a valuable contribution to the global body of evidence about the impact of Covid-19. What is particularly novel about this study is its scale.

“This is because our partnership with Public Health Scotland enabled us to include the vast majority of children born in Scotland during the pandemic. To our knowledge this is the first study of its kind, internationally. It illustrates the enormous value of an integrated health service which is ready to partner with researchers like ourselves to further globally significant research.”

The team added that as some developmental concerns do not become apparent until children are older than 13 to 15 months, it is important to continue to assess outcomes as children get older and more data becomes available. In future research they will examine the same group of children at age 27 to 30 months and age four to five years.

CHILDS builds upon the previous Covid-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland (COPS) study which examined the effects of the SARS- CoV-2 infections and Covid-19 vaccinations to the point of birth and the newborn period. CHILDS examines subsequent health and developmental outcomes in children during their early childhood period.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for medicine licences and only grants approval to COVID-19 vaccines following rigorous review of their safety and effectiveness. Scientific analysis, such as this report, continues to demonstrate that record of safety.”