New research from City St George’s, University of London, has found a surprising link between the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in babies born with heart defects.
The study, published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, reveals that congenital heart abnormalities in newborns increased by 16% after the pandemic’s first year.
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth abnormalities.
These conditions include problems with heart valves, major blood vessels around the heart, and holes in the heart.
Globally, 1 in 110 babies is affected, and in the U.K., about 13 babies are diagnosed with these conditions daily.
The research examined data from over 18 million U.S. births between December 2016 and November 2022. Researchers compared the number of babies born with heart defects before the pandemic (2016–2019) to those born during the pandemic (2020–2022).
To better understand the impact of the pandemic, the researchers also looked at cases of Down syndrome, a genetic condition not affected by the virus. This comparison helped rule out the possibility that the rise in heart defects was due to disruptions in healthcare services.
The study accounted for factors such as the mother’s age, BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, and the timing of prenatal care.
The results showed a 16% rise in congenital heart defects during the pandemic, increasing from 56.5 to 65.4 cases per 100,000 live births.
Importantly, the number of babies born with Down syndrome remained stable, suggesting that the rise in heart defects wasn’t due to limited access to prenatal care but could be linked to COVID-19 itself.
The exact reason for this increase is still unclear. Lead researcher Professor Asma Khalil explained, “We need to determine if the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly causes fetal heart problems during pregnancy and understand how these changes occur.”
The researchers plan to explore whether this pattern is seen in other countries, as similar large datasets are not yet available in the U.K.
COVID-19 is still a risk, especially during the winter months. These findings highlight the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women to protect both themselves and their babies.
“This study serves as a reminder of how vital it is for pregnant women to stay protected during the pandemic,” said Professor Khalil.
While more research is needed, this study offers valuable insights into how the pandemic may have impacted unborn babies’ health, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive care.
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