Cells from your mother likely infiltrated your brain in the womb, and they could survive for decades, study reveals - Live Science
A recent study suggests that maternal cells can infiltrate a child's brain during pregnancy and persist for decades. This phenomenon, known as microchimerism, is being studied to understand its role in human biology.
Why it matters
Understanding how maternal cells interact with a child's brain could provide new insights into developmental biology and long-term health outcomes.
Maternal cells that infiltrate children's brains during pregnancy take on different jobs in the brain and may persist into old age.
By Clarissa Brincat Published 19 July 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Children's brain tissue contains cells with their mothers' DNA, which likely passed to them in the womb, a study finds. (Image credit: KDP via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Researchers have discovered that children's brains can contain cells with their mother's DNA and that these cells can persist for decades.
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