Generation COVID‐19 – Should the foetus be worried?

Abstract

Aim The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the risks, both direct and indirect, to the foetus from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods Direct and indirect risks were defined as (a) vertical infection (congenital or intrapartum), (b) maternal infection and its sequelae, and (c) sources of maternal stress during lockdown, including social isolation and altered healthcare provision. Results Early studies suggest that vertical viral transmission is low; however, there may be an important effect of maternal infection on foetal growth and development. The impact of various degrees of lockdown on prospective mothers’ health, habits and healthcare provision is of concern. In particular, increased maternal stress has been shown to have a significant effect on foetal brain development increasing the risk of mental health, and cognitive and behavioural disorders in later life. Conclusion From the evidence available to date, direct risks to the foetus from the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus are low. Indirect effects of the pandemic, particularly resulting from the effect of maternal stress on the developing brain, can have lifelong detrimental impacts for this generation of children.

COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Restrictions: Factors That May Affect Perinatal Maternal Mental Health and Implications for Infant Development

“…In some cases these responses are in direct contraversion of COVID-19 recommendations from relevant organizations. These practices may affect negatively, both physically and psychologically, mothers along with their infants as well as medical staff caring for childbearing women and their families ( 50 – 53 ).…”

Expectant parents’ perceptions of healthcare and support during COVID-19 in the UK: A thematic analysis

“…Implications for practice and research: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant secondary impact on expectant women, and qualitative data suggests that going forward there is an urgent need for pregnancy-based services to better address the unique health care needs of each pregnant women, to better avoid the type of prenatal stressors that can have an enduring effect on their unborn child (see also Chivers et al, 2020;Iqbal et al, 2020). This should include having an opportunity to address expectant mother's individual concerns, to be seen in person by healthcare providers with their partner as a matter of course, and to not feel rushed through their appointment.…”

COVID-19 in the context of pregnancy, infancy and parenting (CoCoPIP) study: protocol for a longitudinal study of parental mental health, social interactions, physical growth and cognitive development of infants during the pandemic

“…Parental behaviour and availability in the early postnatal period (eg, parenting interaction and sensitivity) in turn shapes later biological, physical and neurodevelopmental outcomes 8. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, toxic stress-informed frameworks for promotion of parental mental health during pregnancy have been expanded to include postnatal mental health and healthy parent–infant attachment amidst disrupted access to direct caregiving support 9. Further, the ecobiodevelopmental framework illustrates how modifiable early environmental influences—such as unemployment, family poverty and access to healthcare—can impart an enduring effect on children’s stress physiology and genetic expression 6 10 11.…”