A new study by researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center confirms a significant link between infections during pregnancy and the increased risk of mental illness in children, which lasts from early childhood to adolescence. The results of scientists’ studies were announced magazine Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP).
The study ran from April 2002 to January 2006 and included a sample of 3,598 mother-child pairs. The authors collected detailed information about infections in mothers during each trimester of pregnancy. These infections included common diseases such as upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections.
The Child Behavior Questionnaire was used to assess mental illness in children. After analyzing the data, the researchers found a positive association between prenatal exposure to infections and an increase in general psychiatric symptoms, internalizing problems (depression), and externalizing problems (behavioral problems such as aggression) in children. The study found no significant differences in these effects depending on the child’s gender. This relationship continued over time, from early childhood to adolescence.
Scientists say the study sheds light on a vital aspect of prenatal care for child development. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring and treating infections during pregnancy, not only for the health of the mother and baby, but also for the long-term mental health of the child.
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