Investigating the effects of prenatal COVID-19 exposure and vaccination on child development
Official title: The longer-term impact of prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the COVID-19 vaccine on behavior, cognition, and brain functioning in the child
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10857242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy, either through infection or vaccination, might affect how children think, behave, and develop as they grow up, so we can better understand any long-term effects on their development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $716,474 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109613-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant individuals who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or received the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those whose pregnancies occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination affects children's behavior, cognition, and brain functioning. It aims to create a well-characterized birth cohort to assess the long-term impacts of these exposures on child development. By analyzing data from pregnant individuals and their children, the study seeks to understand potential risks associated with prenatal COVID-19 experiences. The research will involve monitoring children's development over time to identify any neurodevelopmental deviations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the long-term effects of prenatal COVID-19 exposure and vaccination, guiding future healthcare decisions for pregnant individuals and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown associations between maternal viral infections and neurodevelopmental issues in offspring, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rommel, Anna-Sophie — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Rommel, Anna-Sophie
Related research
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Impact of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure and vaccination on a child’s behavior, thinking, and brain function
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Understanding how COVID-19 infection or vaccine exposure during pregnancy affects a child's brain and development over time
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.