Transl Psychiatry

Prenatal COVID exposure linked to higher autism risk in girls

March 25, 2026

In a prospective cohort of nearly 70,000 children born in Northern California (2020–2021), PCR-confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was not associated with speech/language or motor delay through ages 27 to 48 months. An elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was observed among female offspring exposed in utero (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.44), with no corresponding increase among males. Analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors, maternal clinical characteristics, vaccination status, and child sex. Authors emphasized the need for replication and longer follow-up.

Clinical takeaway: Continue standard developmental screening after in utero SARS‑CoV‑2 exposure, and maintain a lower threshold for timely ASD evaluation in female children if concerns arise.

Source:

Croen LA, et al. (2026, February 4). Transl Psychiatry. SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41639085/