Pregnant women with Covid can pass on antibodies to foetus

Pregnant women with Covid can pass on antibodies to foetus

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – 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, according to a study.

Concept –

• 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, according to a study.
• The ability of immune cells to make mediators was enhanced even in babies born to mothers who had Covid earlier in pregnancy, the researchers said.
• This suggests that infection in the mother has altered the immune system of the baby.
• 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.

To know about antibodies, please click here and here.