Prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2, early relational health, and child socio-emotional functioning in the first 6 months

<b>Question</b> : Is SARS-CoV-2 exposure during pregnancy associated with maternal-reported and observer-based measures of early relational health (ERH) and infant socio-emotional functioning at 4-6 months postpartum? <b>Findings</b> : Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure was associated with a ∼5% reduction in observed quality of maternal caregiving after accounting for postnatal mental health symptomatology and sociodemographic factors. <b>Meaning</b> : A small reduction in maternal caregiving quality, but not other ERH constructs (parental stress, parenting confidence, bonding and emotional connection) or infant socio-emotional functioning, was associated with prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Results should be interpreted as hypothesis generating and will require replication in independent studies.