Many reports in the past have claimed that babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic may face a higher likelihood of developing autism. However, a new study published in JAMA Network Open debunks this fear regarding pandemic-era babies. (Also Read | Can plastic cause autism? Research answers ) Pandemic-era babies more likely to develop autism? The study, conducted by a team at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, challenges the concern that the stress of the pandemic or exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy might lead to increased rates of autism in children.
Contrary to expectations, they found no links between the health emergency and the development of autism in babies. What did the researchers find? The research examined nearly 2,000 toddlers born before and during the pandemic, focusing on children between 16 and 30 months old. They used a common screening tool called the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R), to look for early signs of autism .
The parent-report questionnaire helps identify children who may benefit from a more comprehensive evaluation for autism spectrum disorder. The researchers found no significant difference in positive autism screenings between children born before the pandemic and those born during it. Moreover, children of mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy actually showed lower rates of positive autism screenings compared to the ones who hadn't been infected.
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