Flu triples baby's schizophrenia risk

By Lucy Halfhead  on Friday 19 March 2010

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Pregnant mothers who get flu have an increased chance of their child contracting schizophrenia, a new study has found.

The research has prompted calls for mothers-to-be to ensure they have their flu jabs to protect the health of their unborn child.

Researchers spotted the link between the flu and schizophrenia by doing laboratory tests on monkeys. Pregnant monkeys were infected with flu and their babies given MRI scans when they were a year old. The results showed signs of schizophrenia.

The study, published online by the journal Biological Psychiatry, is the first study of its kind.

Dr Sarah Short of the University of Wisconsin, who led the study, said: ‘Pregnant women should get flu shots, before they get sick. This was a relatively mild flu infection but it had a significant effect on the brains of the babies.'

She added: ‘Normally that risk affects about one of every 100 births. Studies in humans suggest that for flu-exposed babies, the risk is two or three per 100 births.'

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Friday 19 March 2010

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