Covid Vaccination During Pregnancy Not Associated With Neurodevelopmental Problems In Children

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with autism aliases other neurodevelopmental problems successful children whose mothers received nan vaccine immediately before or during pregnancy, according to caller investigation presented coming astatine nan Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™.  

There are 2 types of COVID-19 vaccines recommended for usage successful nan U.S.: nan messenger ribonucleic acerb (mRNA) vaccine and a macromolecule subunit vaccine. Both types of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended and safe to receive during any shape of pregnancy to protect both maternal and babe health. 

Researchers from nan Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network studied 434 children betwixt nan ages of 18 months and 30 months for signs of autism aliases different neurodevelopmental problems. In this multi-center prospective observational study conducted betwixt May 2024 and March 2025, half of nan children (217) were calved to mothers who had received astatine slightest 1 dose of nan mRNA vaccine during aliases wrong 30 days anterior to pregnancy; nan different half were calved to mothers who had not received mRNA vaccination during aliases within 30 days prior to pregnancy. 

"Neurodevelopment outcomes successful children calved to mothers who received nan COVID-19 vaccine during aliases soon earlier gestation did not disagree from those calved to mothers who did not person nan vaccine," said elder interrogator George R. Saade, MD, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Associate Dean for Women's Health, astatine Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences astatine Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. 

Mothers who received nan mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were matched pinch mothers who did not person nan vaccine based connected nan transportation tract wherever they gave commencement (hospital, commencement center, etc.), transportation date, security status, and race. Participants were excluded from both study groups if they delivered preterm under 37 weeks, if they had a multifetal pregnancy, aliases had a kid calved pinch a awesome congenital malformation. 

Children calved to some groups were tested for neurodevelopmental problems at property 1 ½ - 2 ½ years, using nan Ages and Stages Questionnaire Version 3 that assesses and tracks kid development in five main areas: communication, gross centrifugal skills, good centrifugal skills, problem-solving, and personal-social interaction. Additionally, the researchers compared nan children's assessment scores from nan Child Behavior Checklist, Modified Checklist for Autism successful Toddlers, and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire. 

This study, conducted done a rigorous technological process successful an NIH objective tests network, demonstrates reassuring findings regarding nan semipermanent wellness of children whose mothers received COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy."

Brenna L. Hughes, MD, MSc, Edwin Crowell Hamblen Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology and Family Planning and Interim Chair of nan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology astatine Duke University in Raleigh, NC. 

This investigation study was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The contented is solely nan work of nan authors and does not necessarily represent the charismatic views of nan National Institutes of Health.