Amid Confusing CDC Guidance About Vaccines, Study Highlights New Risk of COVID-19 During Pregnancy

A Harvard study reveals that children born to mothers who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy face an increased risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, complicating the CDC's decision to halt vaccine recommendations for pregnant women. The CDC initially delayed recommending the vaccine for pregnant women, citing a need for more evidence, but later reversed its stance, causing confusion among patients. The study, which followed over 18,000 live births, found that 16.3% of children exposed to COVID-19 in utero received a neurodevelopmental diagnosis by age 3, compared to 9.7% of unexposed children. The risk was higher for those exposed in the third trimester and for boys. Despite the alarming findings, researchers emphasize the importance of vaccination and preventive measures to protect both mothers and their children.