March 23, 2020

LA JOLLA, CA –A new study conducted by birth defects research experts from the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) launches to examine the short and long-term effects of the novel COVID-19 virus in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The observational study will consist of phone calls over the course of volunteers’ pregnancies and post-delivery, and/or breastmilk samples, as well as a release of medical records related to the pregnancy and the infant’s development.

OTIS is the scientific non-profit society that provides the no-cost MotherToBaby information service and enrolls women through the MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies.

“Women and their health care providers need answers as quickly as possible regarding the effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy and while breastfeeding,” said the Principal Investigator, Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, OTIS/MotherToBaby president and professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego (pictured right). “We know that pregnant and breastfeeding moms are contracting COVID-19, but the fact of the matter is that we know very little about its short and long-term effects on a developing baby,” she added. “We hope pregnant women see the importance in helping the world understand this novel virus and consider volunteering for the study.”

The study is open to pregnant and breastfeeding women in the United States and Canada with known or suspected COVID-19 infection. The MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies Research Center is located at the University of California San Diego.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can enroll in the study at the following link https://mothertobaby.org/join-study/ or by calling MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies at (877) 311-8972. Learn more about the ongoing observational study at https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/coronavirus-covid-19/.

Health care providers can refer pregnant and breastfeeding patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection at the following link https://mothertobaby.org/healthcare-professional-referral-form/ or by calling MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies at (877) 311-8972.

More about OTIS and MotherToBaby

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) is a professional scientific society made up of individuals engaged in assessing and evaluating risks to pregnancy and breastfeeding from environmental exposures. Members include, but are not limited to, specialists in the fields of: obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, genetics, dysmorphology, perinatal epidemiology, teratology, behavioral teratology, pharmacy, genetic counseling, nursing, midwifery, maternal and child health, public health, and includes experts that provide MotherToBaby services and researchers that conduct MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies. MotherToBaby is a suggested resource by many federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To learn more about ongoing MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies, call (877) 311-8972, email MotherToBaby@ucsd.edu or visit www.MotherToBaby.org.

The study launched March 23, 2020. Interviews with Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH are now being scheduled. Interested media, please call 619-368-3259 or email nchavez@mothertobaby.org.

Questions about COVID-19 and GLP-1 medications are common in the pregnant/postpartum population. Newborn care specialists, who provide in-home infant care and parent education during the postpartum period, can assist families in navigating these topics.

Designed specifically for newborn care specialists, this webinar will help identify some commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and GLP-1 medications, apply communication strategies that support families and their questions while staying within professional scope, and recognize when family questions require referral to healthcare providers.

Chris Stallman, MLS, MS is a certified genetic counselor, Program Director of the University of Arizona Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, and Director of MotherToBaby Arizona. As a teratogen information specialist with MotherToBaby, Chris supports patients, families, and healthcare providers in navigating questions about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding and promotes evidence-based, accessible health information.

MotherToBaby Podcast host Chris Stallman, a certified genetic counselor and mother of four, is joined by Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay, MPH, a teratogen information specialist (an expert in exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding) from MotherToBaby’s North Carolina affiliate as well as Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, a teratogen information specialist from MotherToBaby’ California affiliate to address the flood of questions the MotherToBaby service is getting regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) exposure in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Respiratory virus season brings increased risks for pregnant women and their babies. In this timely webinar, Alisa Kachikis, MD, MSc, from the University of Washington Medical Center and member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), shares the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidance on RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Dr. Kachikis discusses the recommended vaccines, their safety and effectiveness, and how they can protect both parent and baby. She also reviews the potential complications these viruses can cause during pregnancy and what patients need to know to make informed decisions about vaccination. Designed for healthcare professionals and public health advocates, this presentation offers essential information to support conversations with pregnant women and ensure strong protection during respiratory virus season.

“I just found out I am pregnant.  I’ve heard that it is really important to get the flu shot this fall, but is it still OK now that I am pregnant?”  The woman on the other end of the phone line sounded cautious and concerned.  I told her, “I’m so glad you called to ask about this.  The influenza vaccination may be even more important for pregnant women.  The coronavirus pandemic has given us a lot to worry about without adding influenza infections to the mix.  Let me tell you more about this….”

Influenza and Pregnancy

Once we are into influenza season (October to March), pregnant women are strongly recommended to get immunized, regardless of where they are in their pregnancy. Yet, many women delay, and in the end only about 50% of pregnant women get their flu shot.

An influenza infection itself can cause severe illness and even death in pregnant and post-partum women.  It is important to remember that a healthy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby!  The injectable version of the influenza immunization (“flu shot“) contains an inactivated (dead) virus and is not going to make you or your baby sick.  It is the most effective way to prevent influenza or have less severe symptoms if you do get the flu.  Currently, the nasal-spray flu vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women because it contains live attenuated virus.   

Will the vaccine harm my baby?

Some pregnant women are worried about whether immunizations will harm their baby.  The scares about vaccines being associated with problems like autism have been shown not to be true.   In fact, just last month a large study was published in the journal Pediatrics, “Early Childhood Health Outcomes Following In-Utero Exposure to Influenza Vaccines: A Systemic Review.”  This study compiled results from 9 earlier studies and found no association between exposure to the flu vaccine during pregnancy and adverse outcomes in children.  One of the authors was later quoted as saying, “This should be reassuring for pregnant women who may be considering the vaccination…”    

Are you interested in learning more about vaccinations in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?  Visit the MotherToBaby website and read all of our vaccine-related fact sheets.  There is a general fact sheet on all vaccines, and then specific fact sheets on the seasonal influenza vaccine and also many others like the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), HPV (human papillomavirus), hepatitis A, and varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations. 

References

Early Childhood Health Outcomes Following In Utero Exposure to Influenza Vaccines: A Systematic Review Damien Y.P. Foo, Mohinder Sarna, Gavin Pereira, Hannah C. Moore, Deshayne B. Fell, Annette K. Regan, Pediatrics Aug 2020, 146 (2) e20200375; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-0375