Abstract #2253

Brain metabolite concentrations in neonates of mothers with COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy: a case-control study

Steve C.N. Hui^1,2,3, Julius S. Ngwa^1,3, Kushal Kapse¹, Nickie Andescavage^1,3,4, and Catherine Limperopoulos^1,2,3,5

¹Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States, ²Department of Radiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States, ³Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States, ⁴Division of Neonatology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States, ⁵Prenatal Pediatric Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Neonatal, Spectroscopy

Motivation: Recent evidence suggested that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy results in increased placental inflammation and potential adverse effects on fetal neurodevelopment.

Goal(s): To investigate whether COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy affects brain metabolites in the offspring.

Approach: We compared MR spectra from the frontal lobe, basal ganglia and cerebellum using ¹H-MRS in neonates of mothers with COVID-19 infection in pregnancy compared to age- and sex-matched unexposed and healthy neonates.

Results: In a cohort of 76 neonates, we detected significantly increased levels of glutamine and decreased levels of taurine in the cerebellum of infants born to mothers with prenatal COVID-19 infection.

Impact: Neonates of COVID-19 infected mothers during pregnancy may have their neurodevelopment altered. Research focusing on neurodevelopment protection, including a dietary supplement of choline and close monitoring of the neonates’ cognitive development, could benefit this cohort.

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