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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on May 14, 2013, at 6:42:41
Influenza during pregnancy increases the risk of bipolar disorder in children:
- Scott-----------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) For Immediate Release: Monday, May 13, 2013
FLU IN PREGNANCY MAY QUADRUPLE CHILDS RISK FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER NIH-funded study adds to evidence of overlap with Schizophrenia
Pregnant mothers exposure to the flu was associated with a nearly fourfold increased risk that their child would develop bipolar disorder in adulthood, in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The findings add to mounting evidence of possible shared underlying causes and illness processes with schizophrenia, which some studies have also linked to prenatal exposure to influenza.Prospective mothers should take common sense preventive measures, such as getting flu shots prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic, said Alan Brown, M.D., M.P.H, of Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, a grantee of the NIHs National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). In spite of public health recommendations, only a relatively small fraction of such women get immunized. The weight of evidence now suggests that benefits of the vaccine likely outweigh any possible risk to the mother or newborn.
Brown and colleagues reported their findings online May 8, 2013 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Although there have been hints of a maternal influenza/bipolar disorder connection, the new study is the first to prospectively follow families in the same HMO, using physician-based diagnoses and structured standardized psychiatric measures. Access to unique Kaiser-Permanente, county and Child Health and Development Study databases made it possible to include more cases with detailed maternal flu exposure information than in previous studies.
Among nearly a third of all children born in a northern California county during 1959-1966, researchers followed, 92 who developed bipolar disorder, comparing rates of maternal flu diagnoses during pregnancy with 722 matched controls.
The nearly fourfold increased risk implicated influenza infection at any time during pregnancy, but there was evidence suggesting slightly higher risk if the flu occurred during the second or third trimesters. Moreover, the researchers linked flu exposure to a nearly sixfold increase in a subtype of bipolar disorder with psychotic features.A previous study, by Brown and colleagues, in a related northern California sample, found a threefold increased risk for schizophrenia associated with maternal influenza during the first half of pregnancy. Autism has similarly been linked to first trimester maternal viral infections and to possibly related increases in inflammatory molecules.
Posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 9:43:39
In reply to Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder, posted by SLS on May 14, 2013, at 6:42:41
Heard this on the radio yesterday. But what is a pregnant female supposed to do if contracts it. I see a lot of guilt for poor mothers. And some get the flu despite the injection. I see it as has been discussed on facebook as a ways for the drug companies to make more money. Someone once said a relative that one should believe nothing they read and only half of what they see. Who knows?
Posted by SLS on May 14, 2013, at 10:39:19
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » SLS, posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 9:43:39
> Heard this on the radio yesterday. But what is a pregnant female supposed to do if contracts it. I see a lot of guilt for poor mothers. And some get the flu despite the injection. I see it as has been discussed on facebook as a ways for the drug companies to make more money. Someone once said a relative that one should believe nothing they read and only half of what they see. Who knows?
Another conspiracy?
What percentage of people get the flu despite being immunized for the strain causing the infection? What percentage of these become ill within two weeks of the injection? It takes two weeks for the immunization to fully develop. As mentioned in the article, it is the inflammation reaction during the infection that is suspected to be the culprit for producing biological vulnerabilities to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
One nasty idea that occurred to me regarding immunization during pregnancy is that the inflammatory processes that the vaccine elicits in the developing fetal brain might increase the risk of having a child with autism. This could be facilitated by adjuvants such as aluminum being added to the vaccine. Aluminum passes through the placenta. It would be a hell of a thing if this were true. Perhaps the people linking vaccination with autism are right. Crap.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 20:26:37
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » Phillipa, posted by SLS on May 14, 2013, at 10:39:19
Scott I agree with you. The autoimmune system goes to work when a foreign substance introduced into the body. Which as you say produces inflammation. And if they don't pick the right strain for that year what real good is the injection. Also it's been speculated that more than 5 flu shots can cause Alzheimers. Darned if one does and same if don't? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 20:44:14
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » SLS, posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 20:26:37
In no way am I suggesting this is a reliable or accurate site. But makes for an interesting read.
Posted by Dinah on May 16, 2013, at 12:05:55
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » SLS, posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2013, at 9:43:39
One more thing for us to be blamed for, Phillipa. :(
I remember I was a fanatic when I was pregnant, and for months before. I ate only healthy foods, gave up caffeine, etc. I got a cold and took no cold meds. Hmmm... Maybe it was the flu. I was terrified that medications could harm the baby. Then I was terrified that the illness could harm the baby. And topped it off with being terrified that my terror would harm the baby.
Sigh.
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2013, at 20:43:28
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on May 16, 2013, at 12:05:55
I changed my diet so radically I developed bleeding colitis. I was given prednisone. Now at the time docs could distribute meds in a box in their offices with just instructions for taking the med. When I picked up a new box. The receptionist made the mistake of telling me the name of the med. I researched at the time in library. This was the med responsible for my Mothers's Death. I lived in fear till My Son was born that he would also die at birth. As the research I found said if the baby survives birth will be okay. No didn't say a word to the docs. I was only 21 at the time. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on May 17, 2013, at 2:39:20
In reply to Re: Flu during pregnancy and risk of bipolar disorder » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2013, at 20:43:28
Parenting can be frightening - even before they are born.
This is the end of the thread.
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