Experts have been studying the link between maternal infections during pregnancy and the increased chances of autism in children. While autism is not considered an illness or disease but rather a set of varying traits, research indicates that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the occurrence of autism. Studies have found evidence suggesting that infections during pregnancy, such as influenza, could be a contributing factor to the risk of autism in children.
Dr. Ian Lipkin, from Columbia University, conducted a study focusing on laboratory-confirmed flu cases during pregnancy and found an increased risk of ASD when flu was accompanied by severe symptoms. Research also suggests that it may not be the virus itself, but the mother’s immune response and inflammation triggered by the infection that could lead to autism in children.
Animal studies have further supported this notion, with research showing that maternal immune activation during pregnancy can lead to behavioural outcomes similar to autism in offspring. Dr. Irene Sanchez Martin, from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, found that exposing pregnant mice to viruses resulted in developmental deficits in embryos, particularly in males, within a short period of time.
While these findings may not directly translate to humans, they shed light on the role of inflammation triggered by infections during pregnancy in increasing the risk of autism in children. Understanding the mechanisms behind this link can help researchers develop strategies to mitigate the risk of autism in offspring.
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