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Pregnant women

Prenatal Maternal COVID-19 Infection Increases Offspring Risk for Viral Infections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New research suggests that prenatal maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may worsen the clinical course of the disease and increase the risk for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. A study conducted by researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection were at higher risk for viral infections, including COVID-19, up to the age of 1 year, particularly if the mothers were infected during the third trimester.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 19,050 women-offspring dyads who delivered at the Soroka University Medical Center between December 30, 2020, and July 30, 2022, of which 2663 (14%) women were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.
  • Offspring of mothers with prenatal COVID-19 infections were at higher risk for viral infections (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.167; 95% CI = 1.028-1.325, P = 0.017), specifically among offspring exposed during the third trimester.
  • The risk for viral infections was lower in cases where the mothers were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the second trimester.
  • Offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection were at increased risk for viral and COVID-19 infections up to the age of 1 year old, specifically if the mothers were infected during late third trimester.
  • No associations were observed with the risk for developmental delay (0.8% vs. 1.1%, OR = 0.724, 95% CI = 0.46-1.14, P = 0.161) or respiratory complications (3.3% vs. 4%, OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.662-1.041, P = 0.107).
  • The research concluded that offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection earlier during gestation were at lower risk for viral infections, including COVID-19, in the first year of life.

Statistics:

  • 19,050: The number of women-offspring dyads included in the study.
  • 2663: The number of women diagnosed with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy (14% of the total study population).
  • 1.167: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the risk of viral infections among offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection (95% CI = 1.028-1.325, P = 0.017).
  • 0.017: The p-value indicating the statistical significance of the association between maternal prenatal COVID-19 infection and offspring risk for viral infections.
  • 0.8% vs. 1.1%: The incidence of developmental delay among offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection and those not exposed.
  • 3.3% vs. 4%: The incidence of respiratory complications among offspring exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection and those not exposed.

Sources:

  • Prenatal Maternal Covid-19 and Offspring Risk for Morbidities Up To the Age of One Year. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2025;44(9):889-894.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Provide New Data on COVID-19 (Prenatal Maternal Covid-19 and Offspring Risk for Morbidities Up To the Age of One Year). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 28, 2025; p 358.

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