Scientists from Temple University in the US found that high levels of interleukin-6 (which serves as a marker of inflammation) in pregnant women was associated with depression during adolescence in their children. Research results published In JAMA Psychiatry.
The researchers sought to determine whether different levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in prenatal mothers were associated with their children’s risk of depression during adolescence. Inflammatory cytokines are a type of signaling molecules produced by the body’s immune cells. They play a role in regulating the immune response, activating inflammatory processes and mobilizing immune cells.
Researchers used data from a group of pregnant women who received prenatal care through the Kaiser Foundation health insurance program from June 1959 to September 1966. The next stages of the research were carried out with the participation of children of different ages, born between 1960 and 1963. The study included data from a total of 674 mother-child pairs.
Results from maternal blood tests and psychological tests to assess children’s mental health showed that higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 (interleukin-6) during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the development and worsening of depressive symptoms in girls. Youth. A relationship has also been found between increased production of this cytokine in the first trimester and depression in boys.
Most likely, inflammation during the prenatal period can negatively impact the child’s mental health. Previous studies have linked interleukin 6, 8, and 1β to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders in children.
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Source: Gazeta
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