Pregancy and the Flu

Posting Date: 12/15/2003

Since his research focuses on child development, this study is ?a natural progression? for Dombrowski. He is currently compiling a literature review on the impact of prenatal influenza exposure and how it relates to schizophrenia. Dombrowski and his colleagues obtained data for the study from the Helsinki Longitudinal Project, a prospective study of early childhood temperament. The sample consisted of 6,401 children born between July 1, 1975, and June 30, 1976, in Helsinki, and two adjacent suburbs. The sample size was adjusted by eliminating data for one twin or each twin pair ? producing a final size of 6,388 children.

The Helsinki data set is one of the first longitudinal data sets that allows for an investigation of how prenatal and early childhood factors impact later development.

Since there has been extensive research on first-trimester prenatal viral exposure and its link to severe abnormalities, Dombrowski maintains that more subtle indicators of academic or psychological problems later in childhood tend to be overshadowed.

?Our investigation may not be regarded as a cure for such diseases as cancer but it contributes significantly to understanding the less tangible environmental factors that influence a child?s development,? said Dombrowski.

As a testament to the contribution of this study, Dr. Jose Cordero, assistant surgeon general and director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prepared a commentary on Dombrowski?s hypothesis.

?Perhaps physicians will use this information to caution women to avoid situations which might put them at risk for viral infections if at all possible,? said Dombrowski. ?In addition, it might be advisable for women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season to obtain a flu vaccine.?

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