(CNN) - New research suggests there may be a connection between autism and COVID-19.

A new study shows children may be more likely to be diagnosed with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders if their mother had COVID-19 while pregnant.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed more than 18,000 births between March 2020 and May 2021.

They found that about 2.7% of children born to mothers who had COVID while pregnant were diagnosed with autism, compared to 1.1% of others.

Researchers also found a higher incidence of cases among boys and in cases when the mother had Covid-19 in the third trimester.

The study was published Thursday in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology .

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