Study Links COVID-19 Infections in Pregnant Women to Respiratory Health Issues in Babies

Babies born to mothers with COVID-19 may face a heightened risk of respiratory distress at birth or shortly after, according to a Nature Communications study. While previous research linked COVID-19 during pregnancy to adverse outcomes, this study raises concerns about longer-term consequences for newborns.

Exposure to the virus in utero could inflame a newborn's airway, leading to breathing difficulties, pale or blueish skin, and other symptoms. The study, based on over 200 women in Los Angeles, revealed an unusually high 17% rate of respiratory issues in newborns, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impact of COVID-19 on prenatal health and neonatal outcomes. Read more in The Hill here.