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Prenatal exposure to influenza epidemics and risk of mental retardation
N Takei1, G Murray, E O'Callaghan
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to influenza epidemics during mid-gestation may increase the risk of mental handicap. Maternal influenza infection around the third to fourth month of pregnancy was linked to a higher incidence of mental retardation in offspring.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mental handicap (mental retardation) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding prenatal risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
- Previous research has explored various environmental influences on fetal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to influenza epidemics and the risk of mental handicap.
- To quantify the potential increased risk of mental retardation following maternal influenza infection during gestation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of monthly birth frequencies of individuals diagnosed with non-specific mental retardation.
- Correlation with monthly death rates from influenza in England and Wales (1953-1980).
- Utilized a generalized linear model to assess relative risk during mid-gestation.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between increased influenza death rates and a subsequent rise in births of mentally handicapped individuals.
- A 17% increase in births of mentally handicapped individuals was observed for every 1000 female deaths from influenza.
- This effect was particularly noted 6 months following peak influenza prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Maternal influenza exposure during the third to fourth month of gestation appears to be a risk factor for developing mental handicap.
- The findings highlight the importance of maternal health during pregnancy, particularly regarding infectious diseases.
- Public health initiatives aimed at influenza prevention during pregnancy may help mitigate the risk of mental retardation.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to determine whether prenatal exposure to influenza epidemics increases the risk of mental handicap. The monthly birth frequencies of 827 first-admission individuals (mean age at admission 13 years) with a primary diagnosis of non-specific mental retardation, discharged from psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales, were examined in relation to the monthly death rates from influenza over the period 1953-1980. The relative risk of developing mental handicap when exposed to influenza epidemics during mid-gestation was assessed by a generalized linear model. Increased death rates from influenza, a measure of prevalence of the infection, were significantly associated with an increase in births of mentally handicapped individuals 6 months later. For every 1000 female deaths from influenza there was a 17% increase in births of mentally handicapped individuals 6 months later. Maternal exposure to influenza at approximately the third to fourth month of gestation may be risk factor for developing mental handicap.