Influenza during pregnancy and autism in a child-go hand-in-hand

Children whose mothers had the flu during pregnancy are born weaker than normal kids. Also, according to Danish researchers, such children have an increased risk of developing autism/




A study conducted in Denmark at the University of Aarhus (University of Aarhus), showed the new danger posed by viral colds for pregnant women, writes "Zdravoe". The study was conducted between 1997 and 2002, the results were published in the journal "Pediatrics".




About 98% of women who participated in the study experienced a flu or have been taking antibiotics during pregnancy. During pregnancy and immediately after childbirth, the mother of the children were interviewed regarding their disease and treatment with antibiotics. Influenza transferred during pregnancy was associated with a twofold increased risk of birth of a child with the diagnosis of disorders of the autism spectrum at the age of 3 years. Children whose mothers reported fever lasted more weeks, showed a threefold increase in the risk of autism.




At the same time, animal studies indicate that control of viral infection during pregnancy can affect the developing brain of the fetus. It is not clear how the infection in the mother increases the risk of autism in the child. "It is important to understand that there is no single cause of autism," the researchers say. "There are many different areas of research conducted on this topic, and some will be more informative than others".

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