Understanding how COVID-19 infection or vaccine exposure during pregnancy affects a child's brain and development over time
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
This project looks at how being exposed to the COVID-19 virus or vaccine before birth might affect a child's behavior, thinking skills, and brain development as they grow.
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 ID | NIH-11123157 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted millions globally, including pregnant individuals. This project aims to understand the longer-term effects on children who were exposed to the virus or the COVID-19 vaccine during their mother's pregnancy. Researchers will follow these children to observe how their behavior, thinking abilities, and brain functions develop over time. This work is crucial because the long-term impacts of prenatal exposure to COVID-19 infection and vaccination are not yet fully understood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project would ideally involve children who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection or the COVID-19 vaccine while in the womb.
Not a fit: Patients who were not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection or the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand potential risks or reassure parents about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, guiding future public health recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: While animal and epidemiological studies suggest links between maternal infections and child neurodevelopment, the specific long-term effects of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure and vaccination on children are largely unknown and this is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- 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
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 below.