COVID-19 – understanding the impact of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 early in life on a child’s brain development and mental health

Many thousands of babies are likely to have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, in the womb or shortly after birth. Thankfully, most infected newborn babies have few or no symptoms, but they may still be at risk of long-term effects. Dr Ela Chakkarapani at the University of Bristol is looking at the consequences of exposure to the virus on a child’s early development. The findings could help inform guidance for pregnant women and new parents, identify children who need additional support, and stimulate research into new interventions to reduce the long-term impact of the virus on children’s lives.

How are children’s lives affected now?

More than 700,000 babies are born in the UK each year¹. Women who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy may unavoidably expose their unborn baby to the virus and virus-related inflammation – and some babies may catch the virus shortly after birth.

“We currently don’t know enough about the consequences of this exposure in early life,” says Dr Chakkarapani.

Thankfully, most newborn babies infected with SARS-CoV-2 usually have mild or no symptoms. But it is known that COVID-19 can sometimes cause brain complications in adults – raising the possibility of hidden effects from exposure to the virus in early life, or to its effects in the womb, on a child’s developing brain.

“Damage to the brain is especially concerning for very young babies as it could impact on their development,” says Dr Chakkarapani. “We urgently need to monitor children as they grow to find out if and how the virus affects their development in the longer term.”

How could this research help?

“We aim to gain a better understanding of how exposure to SARS-CoV-2 early in life affects a child’s brain development,” says Dr Chakkarapani.

The SINEPOST study will assess children at 18 months of age – comparing those exposed to the virus in the womb, or shortly after birth, with children who were not.

“We will look for any early signs of developmental delay in exposed babies – and identify children who may be at increased risk of behavioural or emotional problems in the future,” says Dr Chakkarapani.

The team will ask for permission to follow up the babies later in childhood – to enable future studies into their long-term development and mental health.

1. Office for National Statistics, Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/vitalstatisticspopulationandhealthreferencetables  [website accessed 4^th February 2021]