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Open Access 01-10-2021 | Original Contribution

Prenatal maternal infections and children’s socioemotional development: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Authors: Hildigunnur Anna Hall, Lydia Gabriela Speyer, Aja Louise Murray, Bonnie Auyeung

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 10/2021

Abstract

Previous research suggests that prenatal maternal infections may be associated with increased odds of children having a neurodevelopmental disorder. However, little evidence exists on associations with broader child outcomes, especially subclinical symptoms. Participants were the N = 14,021 members of the population-representative UK Millennium Cohort Study. We examined associations between prenatal maternal infections, both maternal-reported and hospital-recorded, and children’s socioemotional development, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age three. Maternal-reported prenatal infections were associated with increased emotional symptoms, after adjusting for several potential confounds and covariates. Hospital-recorded prenatal infections were not associated with children’s socioemotional outcomes, after adjusting for potential confounding and covarying factors. Findings suggest that prenatal maternal infections, particularly those which the mothers remember months later, may be associated with increased emotional problems in early childhood. This emphasises the need for screening for and preventing infections during pregnancy. Further, the occurrence of prenatal infection indicates the potential need for early intervention for children’s emotional difficulties.

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Title: Prenatal maternal infections and children’s socioemotional development: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Hildigunnur Anna Hall
Lydia Gabriela Speyer
Aja Louise Murray
Bonnie Auyeung
Publication date: 01-10-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 10/2021
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01644-y

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Prenatal maternal infections and children’s socioemotional development: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

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