Expectant mothers, pediatricians, therapists, public health professionals, and families will find in this work a powerful synthesis of the latest science, clinical insight, and practical guidance. Prenatal Exposure, Lasting Impact presents evidence that maternal COVID-19 infection can ripple into a child's brain development - elevating risks of autism, speech and motor delay, and cognitive challenges - and shows how timely intervention can rewrite those trajectories.Drawing on cutting-edge epidemiological cohorts, mechanistic research, and clinical best practices, this book lays out: Why maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy matters mostHow infection timing, fetal sex, and placental health shape riskWhat specific neurobiological pathways (cytokine exposure, synaptic disruption) link maternal infection to developmental disordersHow to implement early screening, biomarker monitoring, and intervention protocolsCase studies and real-world strategies for public health and family supportYou will discover how to translate scientific insights into concrete action - from designing developmental surveillance plans to shaping policy, crafting clinical pathways, and engaging caregivers in effective therapies.Whether you are a clinician aiming to improve developmental outcomes, a researcher exploring prenatal exposures, or a parent seeking clarity and practical solutions, this work equips you with both depth and direction. The final chapters offer a roadmap to integrate clinical, public health, and community strategies - and prepares you to respond to future prenatal exposures beyond the COVID era.Join the conversation: this book demands that we rethink how we protect the earliest, most vulnerable minds - and empowers each stakeholder to act.