Unborn babies could be at risk of catching COVID-19 in the womb at just two weeks old if their mother becomes infected, study claims
- Genes in two-week old embryos are designed to create proteins on cell surfaces
- These proteins include ACE2 receptor which coronavirus used to infect people
- Thought the virus could use this pathway to infect unborn babies in the womb
- The study is purely hypothetical and there is no proof babies are at risk
Unborn babies as young as two weeks old possess genes which could put them at risk of contracting Covid-19 from their mother.
Early data shows these genes likely make proteins which the virus can use to infect human cells, including ACE2 which has been dubbed the ‘gateway to the body’.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge created a new way to look at genes in the early human embryo to determine their function.
It involved scrutinising chunks of genetic material called RNA and has not been validated at the protein level, in cells or in animal models.
The researchers say this discovery could be used to further investigate the risk to unborn babies but critics have slammed the study.
Unborn babies as young as two weeks old possess genes which could put them at risk of contracting Covid-19 from their mother. Early data shows these genes likely make proteins which the virus can use to infect human cells, including ACE2 (stock)
Professor Christoph Lees, co-chief Investigator on the study at Imperial College London, stresses it is important to note these findings are strictly hypothetical.
At this early stage, it is impossible to know if the presence of the genes manifests itself into increased risk from coronavirus.
When a foetus is two weeks old the embryo attaches to the mother’s womb and begins rapidly changing in shape and structure.
‘It is important to say that this work is at a very hypothetical stage – in other words there are more question marks than there are answers,’ says Professor Lees.
The research reignites an enormously emotional debate as to the risk Covid-19 positive pregnant mothers pose to their unborn child.
Professor Lees says his research does not prove the coronavirus can pass from mother to baby, but suggests a route in which it may be able to.
When a foetus is two weeks old the embryo attaches to the mother’s womb and begins rapidly changing in shape and structure.
‘What appears possible in a laboratory study is a long way removed from what might actually happen in the human embryo,’ he adds.
Professor Ian Jones of the University of Reading admits the research is well conducted and ‘scientifically accurate’, but should be interpreted with caution.
‘While there have been occasional reports of intrauterine transmission [of the SARS-CoV-2 virus] the overwhelming evidence is that it is very uncommon and does not represent a significant risk. To suggest otherwise borders on scaremongering,’ he says.
Very few cases of a foetus being infected with the coronavirus from its mother have been reported, and scientists are increasingly confident the babies are not at risk.
Professor Andrew Shennan of King’s College London, who was not involved in the study, says evidence is amassing which shows it is extremely rare for the virus to breach the placenta which protects the unborn baby.
‘Even if fetal cells are infected, this research does not indicate they would be harmed,’ he explains.
‘Most cells make a complete recovery after being infected with a virus. This includes with the coronavirus.
‘So far there have been many studies showing that babies are not at increased risk if their mother has coronavirus.
‘About 1 in 5 babies have to be delivered early as their mother is sick, but are unharmed by the virus.’
The findings have been published in the journal Open Biology.