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CoronaVIRUS, Pregnancy, CHoline
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises that babies of pregnant women who are exposed to COVID-19 coronavirus may have problems in their brain development. These pre-birth problems can lead to premature delivery, and future mental Illnesses. The CDC predicts that COVID-19 may cause a maternal inflammation, similar to many other coronaviruses. The inflammation attacks the placenta and affects its support of the baby’s brain development. A recent study supports the ability of higher levels of choline to protect the baby’s developing brain from inflammation from most viruses. Choline supplements work best if taken as a precaution before infection, preferably beginning at conception. Choline does not prevent mothers from getting coronavirus, and we cannot be sure that it will protect the baby as it does for other coronaviruses but there are no other proposed alternatives if the mother is infected. Women should continue to use al precautions--masking, social distancing, hand-washing, and a vaccine when it becomes available and certified safe in pregnancy. Here is what we know for other coronaviruses:
At 3 months of age infants whose mothers who were infected by common coronaviruses have lower self-regulation as assessed on the Infant Behavioral Questionnaire-R-short form (IBQ-R), a standard instrument for rating behavior in infants up to 1 year of age. The Self-Regulation Index specifically is associated with later social behavior and reading readiness up to 4 years of age . Table 1 shows results from infants of the viral infected mothers for the Self-Regulation Index and some of its components. Infants whose mothers had higher levels choline during early gestation had fewer problems in distractibility and better ability to regulate their behavior in several dimensions. These levels can be achieved by diets rich in eggs and meats or by a supplement containing 500-1000 mg choline or 3500 to 7000 mg phosphatidylcholine. In older children, the Childhood Behavior Check List 1½ to 5 years is used; it has DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association) diagnosis-compatible scales. Children rated at or above the 93rd percentile on one of the CBCL DSM-5 compatible scales are usually referred for clinical evaluation and treatment . Four of 41 children in the infection-choline study had ratings for Attention that were compatible with clinically significant Attention Deficit Disorder; none had mothers with higher choline levels.

Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, Wagner BD, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Noonan K, Wyrwa A, Hoffman MC.
Maternal choline and respiratory coronavirus effects on fetal brain development
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2020 text
Maternal choline and respiratory coronavirus effects on fetal brain development
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2020 text
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