The COVID-19 pandemic exposed mothers to stress and social isolation during the pre- and post-natal periods. The deleterious effects of stress on both pregnant women and their infants are well documented, with research suggesting that effects are exacerbated by reduced social support. In this brief report, we summarize evidence linking stress and social isolation to negative outcomes for mothers and infants and present a conceptual model featuring inflammation as a driving mechanism. There is strong evidence that the coronavirus pandemic will affect mothers and infants through immune pathways that, in previous research, have been shown to link stress and social isolation during the pre- and post-natal periods with deficits in maternal mental health and infant well-being and development across developmental stages. We close with recommendations for novel research, policy changes, and integrated clinical care that can address these biological threats to infants and mothers while leveraging the anti-inflammatory effects of social support.

COVID-19 大流行使母亲在产前和产后期间面临压力和社会孤立。压力对孕妇及其婴儿的有害影响已得到充分证明，研究表明社会支持减少会加剧这种影响。在这份简短的报告中，我们总结了将压力和社会隔离与母亲和婴儿的负面结果联系起来的证据，并提出了一个以炎症为驱动机制的概念模型。有强有力的证据表明，冠状病毒大流行将通过免疫途径影响母亲和婴儿，在先前的研究中，这些免疫途径已表明将产前和产后期间的压力和社会孤立与产妇心理健康和婴儿健康缺陷联系起来。存在和发展跨发展阶段。