From Yahoo! News – Study: Flu in Pregnancy Linked to Schizophrenia:
In a small 64-family sample, researchers found the risk of developing the major mental disorder in adult offspring rose seven-fold if the expectant mother had the flu during the first trimester.
What’s the link?
The study suggested factors that could damage the fetal brain including the mother’s antibodies crossing the placenta and reacting with the fetus’ developing immune system, the presence of genetic material from the strain of influenza, and the mother’s elevated body temperature.Over-the-counter flu remedies also might cause central nervous system problems, it said.
The study’s findings may raise questions about routine vaccinations of women because the antibodies generated could damage a fetus.