Antenatal and neonatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and children's development: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Rebecca JacksonKathryn WoodwardMeg IrelandConor LarkinJennifer J KurinczukMarian KnightChris GaleSamantha JohnsonRosie CornishElavazhagan ChakkarapaniPublished in: Pediatric research (2023)
The current evidence examining associations between SARS-CoV-2 exposure during the neonatal period and developmental outcomes in infancy is limited by there being few studies with extremely small sample sizes. Based on sparse data there was no consistent association between antenatal or neonatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and an adverse impact on developmental outcomes below 12 months of age for babies born preterm or at term. This study highlights that larger cohorts with outcomes assessed beyond the first year are needed to determine the potential longer-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection exposure on child development.