A new study from researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center identifies a meaningful connection between infections during pregnancy and a higher likelihood of mental health challenges in children that persist from early childhood through adolescence. The findings were reported in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP).
The investigation spanned from April 2002 to January 2006 and involved 3,598 mother-child pairs. Investigators gathered detailed records of infections affecting mothers in each trimester, focusing on common illnesses such as upper respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections.
Child outcomes were measured using the Child Behavior Questionnaire, which helped track psychiatric symptoms over time. The analyses revealed a positive association between prenatal exposure to infections and elevated scores on general psychiatric symptoms, along with internalizing problems (for example, depressive symptoms) and externalizing problems (such as aggressive or disruptive behaviors) in children. Notably, the study did not find meaningful differences in these associations by the child’s gender. The observed relationships persisted from early childhood into adolescence.
Researchers emphasize that the results illuminate a critical aspect of prenatal care. The findings suggest that monitoring and managing infections during pregnancy may benefit long-term child mental health, in addition to protecting maternal and infant health during gestation.
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