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05:51
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Rates of Neonatal Congenital Anomalies.
John W Snelgrove1,2,3, Rinku Sutradhar3,4, Nancy N Baxter3,4,5,6,7
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
JAMA Network Open
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of neonatal congenital anomalies. This large population-based study found no link between infection and overall or cardiac anomalies, offering reassurance to expectant parents.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and neonatal congenital anomalies.
- Population-based studies are needed to evaluate confirmed maternal infection during pregnancy and specific gestational periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between laboratory-confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and neonatal congenital anomalies.
- To evaluate these associations overall and by trimester of exposure.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, matched cohort study in Ontario, Canada, included live births from December 2020 to December 2021.
- Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed via RT-PCR, with cases matched 1:4 to uninfected controls.
- Primary outcome was any neonatal congenital anomaly; secondary outcome was cardiac anomalies.
Main Results:
- The study included 5049 births with maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and 20,196 controls.
- No statistically significant association was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and any congenital anomaly (rate ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.87-1.24).
- No significant associations were observed for cardiac anomalies or when infection was analyzed by trimester.
Conclusions:
- Laboratory-confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of neonatal congenital anomalies.
- These findings may offer reassurance to pregnant individuals and healthcare providers.
- Further research on first-trimester infection and specific anomaly risks is warranted.
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