Topic: Health
A large study in Sweden found that rare infections passed from mother to child during pregnancy can triple the risk of autism. The study also linked these infections to a higher risk of intellectual disability. Researchers looked at health records for over 3.7 million people born in Sweden between 1987 and 2021.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics has found that rare infections passed from mother to child during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism and intellectual disability later in childhood. The study, conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, looked at health records for over 3.7 million people born in Sweden between 1987 and 2021.
The researchers focused on a group known as TORCH infections, which include cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasma, and herpesvirus. These infections can sometimes cross the placenta and cause a congenital infection. The study found that children with a congenital TORCH infection were about three times more likely to later be diagnosed with autism than those without an infection.
The researchers also looked at the risk of intellectual disability and found that it was even higher, with over seven times the risk for those with a congenital TORCH infection. The study estimated that these infections may account for only a small proportion of all cases of autism in the population, but for those children who are affected, there is a clearly elevated risk.
The researchers used sibling comparisons to investigate whether the findings might be explained by characteristics shared within families. They compared children who had experienced a TORCH infection with their own siblings who had not, and found that the pattern remained similar in these comparisons. This suggests that shared family factors alone are unlikely to explain the associations.
The study also looked at other neuropsychiatric conditions, including ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but did not find any clear links between congenital TORCH infections and these conditions. However, they did find differences in school performance, with children who had a congenital TORCH infection receiving lower grades on average than those without an infection.
Why It Matters
This study is important because it highlights the potential long-term effects of certain infections passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Understanding these risks can help healthcare providers and parents make informed decisions about prenatal care and testing.
Key Facts
- The study looked at health records for over 3.7 million people born in Sweden between 1987 and 2021.
- Children with a congenital TORCH infection were about three times more likely to later be diagnosed with autism than those without an infection.
- The risk of intellectual disability was even higher, with over seven times the risk for those with a congenital TORCH infection.
- The study estimated that these infections may account for only a small proportion of all cases of autism in the population.
- Children who had a congenital TORCH infection received lower grades on average than those without an infection.
Key Terms
- TORCH infections
- A group of rare infections that can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, including cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasma, and herpesvirus.
Implications
This study is important because it highlights the potential long-term effects of certain infections passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Understanding these risks can help healthcare providers and parents make informed decisions about prenatal care and testing.
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