EFFECTS OF MATERNAL COVID-19 INFECTION ON VERTEBRAL COLUMN GROWTH AND ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Maternal COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may influence fetal growth and postnatal physical development through inflammatory, vascular, and hypoxic mechanisms. The vertebral column is particularly sensitive to prenatal environmental factors because spinal growth and ossification actively continue during fetal and early childhood periods. The aim of this study was to evaluate vertebral column growth and anthropometric indicators in young children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy. Comparative analysis was performed between children prenatally exposed to maternal COVID-19 and children born to healthy mothers. The results revealed moderate alterations in spinal anthropometric parameters, posture indicators, and vertebral growth characteristics among exposed children. These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to maternal COVID-19 may affect musculoskeletal development and emphasize the importance of long-term pediatric monitoring and preventive rehabilitation strategies.