Understanding how COVID-19 infection or vaccine exposure during pregnancy affects a child's brain and development over time

Who could benefit from this research

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.

Why it matters

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

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Impact of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure and vaccination on a child’s behavior, thinking, and brain function

  A study following children up to age 3 to understand how being exposed to COVID-19 before birth and maternal vaccination during pregnancy might affect behavior, thinking skills, and brain function.

  NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11345368

• Investigating the effects of prenatal COVID-19 exposure and vaccination on child development

  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.

  NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-10857242

• A new approach to block SARS-CoV-2 by turning its own replication against it

  A novel intranasal therapy uses a virus-activated toxin strategy to kill infected cells while sparing healthy ones, aiming to reduce COVID-19 infection in a mouse model.

  NIH research Scripps Research Institute, the · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11361615

• Long-term COVID effects in the Cherokee Nation

  This project looks for lasting health problems after COVID-19 among American Indian people who live in the Cherokee Nation.

  NIH research Cherokee Nation · Tahlequah, United States · NIH-11163416

• Effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy and maternal health outcomes

  This study is looking at how COVID-19 and its effects on health might impact pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies, especially for those facing challenges in healthcare, to help improve outcomes for everyone during and after pregnancy.

  NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11136605

• Investigating long-term health effects of COVID-19 in American Indians

  This study is looking at how COVID-19 affects the long-term health of American Indian people in the Cherokee Nation, focusing on ongoing symptoms like heart problems, fatigue, and mental health issues, to help improve care for those who are still feeling unwell after their infection.

  NIH research Cherokee Nation · Tahlequah, United States · NIH-10912530

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.