HEALTH NEWS
Babies born to mothers with Covid infection may have enhanced levels of immune cells: Study
As per a study, babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection may have enhanced levels of immune cells known to be involved in rapid response to the viral infection.
The study was published in the journal Nature Immunology.
It found that babies born to mothers with recent or ongoing infection had enhanced levels of circulating mediators as well as increased percentages of cells known to be involved in rapid response to infection.
The ability of immune cells to make mediators was enhanced even in babies born to mothers who had Covid-19 earlier in pregnancy, the researchers said.
This suggests that infection in the mother has altered the immune system of the baby, they said.
The researchers also found that the mothers pass antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 to their baby through the placenta — known as the transfer of passive immunity.