Prenatal infection and schizophrenia: A decade of further progress

SUMMARYWe have tried to measure the incidence of prenatal infection in 304 infants whose mothers had had rubella at various times after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Two methods of assessment were used: first, serum obtained soon after birth was tested for specific IgM antibody; secondly, serum obtained after the age of eight months was tested for specific IgG. When maternal rubella occurred 12–16 weeks after the last menstrual period specific IgM antibody was detected in 28 out of 50 infants (56%). The proportion fell progressively to 12% after maternal rubella at 24–28 weeks, rose to 19% after rubella at 28–36 weeks and then to 58% when the illness occurred during the last month of pregnancy. In all, IgM antibody was detected in 77 out of 260 infants (29%). The fetus can thus be infected at any time during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, but the risk varies at different stages.The figures for the prevalence of IgG antibody were greater throughout, because some infants had IgG who had previously lacked specific IgM. After maternal rubella at 12–16 weeks IgG antibody persisted in 22 out of 31 infants (71%). The proportion fell to 28% after rubella at 24–28 weeks and then increased progressively to 94% after rubella during the last month. In all, IgG antibody persisted in 94 out of 190 infants (49%). The true rate of fetal infection probably lies between the rates estimated from the presence of IgM antibody and the subsequent prevalence of IgG.Infants whose mothers had rubella at any time during pregnancy should be examined regularly for possible evidence of damage.

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Prenatal Infection with Vaccinia Virus: Report of a Case

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.2.5299.238 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 2 (5299) ◽

pp. 238-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

D. M. Entwistle ◽

P. T. Bray ◽

K. M. Laurence

Keyword(s):

Vaccinia Virus ◽

Prenatal Infection

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Prenatal maternal infections and children's socioemotional outcomes

10.31234/osf.io/svbep ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hildigunnur Anna Hall ◽

Lydia Gabriela Speyer ◽

Aja Louise Murray ◽

Bonnie Auyeung

Keyword(s):

Child Outcomes ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Maternal Infections ◽

Prenatal Infection ◽

Prenatal Infections ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Uk Millennium Cohort Study ◽

Subclinical Symptoms ◽

Socioemotional Outcomes

Previous research suggests that prenatal maternal infections may be associated with increased odds of children having a neurodevelopmental disorder. However, little evidence exists on associations with broader child outcomes, especially subclinical symptoms. Participants were the N = 14,021 members of the population-representative UK Millennium Cohort Study. We examined associations between prenatal maternal infections, both maternal-reported and hospital-recorded, and children’s socioemotional development, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age three. Maternal-reported prenatal infections were associated with increased emotional symptoms, after adjusting for several potential confounds and covariates. Hospital-recorded prenatal infections were not associated with children’s socioemotional outcomes, after adjusting for potential confounding and covarying factors. Findings suggest that prenatal maternal infections, particularly those which the mothers remember months later, may be associated with increased emotional problems in early childhood. This emphasises the need for screening for and preventing infections during pregnancy. Further, the occurrence of prenatal infection indicates the potential need for early intervention for children’s emotional difficulties.

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