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Updated: May 23, 2025

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Outcomes of Mothers and Infants Affected by COVID-19

Katherine B Daniel1, Stefany Olague2, Helen Boyle2

  • 1Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.

American Journal of Perinatology
|May 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may impact maternal and infant well-being for up to a year postpartum. Mothers reported persistent stress affecting themselves and their infants, with altered infant temperament noted.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Long-term effects of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal and infant well-being are not well understood.
  • Pregnancy and early postpartum are critical periods for maternal and infant health.
  • COVID-19 infection presents unique challenges during this sensitive developmental window.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of mothers and infants in the first year postpartum following COVID-19 exposure or diagnosis.
  • To characterize the impact of maternal and/or infant COVID-19 infection on the mother-infant dyad.
  • To identify potential lasting consequences for maternal mental health, infant temperament, and the child-caregiver relationship.

Main Methods:

  • A direct-to-participant cohort study of 96 mother-infant pairs.
  • Mothers tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy or birth hospitalization, and/or infants tested positive before hospital discharge.
  • Outcomes measured via surveys at 6 and 12 months postpartum and infant health records from birth through one year.

Main Results:

  • Mothers frequently reported persistent physical, mental, and emotional stress impacting both themselves and their infants.
  • Infant temperament scores were higher than previously reported in literature.
  • Infants generally remained healthy throughout their first year of life.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can create unique circumstances affecting maternal and infant well-being and the child-caregiver relationship.
  • These effects may persist for at least one year postpartum.
  • Identifying these issues is crucial for timely support and intervention to mitigate potential long-term consequences.

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