Mother’s Infection May Boost Epilepsy Risk In Babies

According to an analysis of data from a Danish study, exposure to certain maternal infections in the womb increases the odds of epilepsy in childhood.

Among the infections cited were vaginal yeast infection, cystitis, and pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney and upper urinary tract).

Of the maternal conditions evaluated, pyelonephritis, cystitis, diarrhea, coughs lasing longer than one week, and vaginal yeast infection were all linked to epilepsy.

In preterm infants, the relative risks ranged from 1.23 for diarrhea to 2.56 for vaginal yeast infections.

Exposure to cough during pregnancy increased the risk of epilepsy only during the first year of life.

The Researches reported that herpes, genital herpes and venereal warts did not significantly increase the odds of epilepsy.

According to the researchers; long term studies can shed more light on link between maternal infections and epilepsy risk.

Source: Reuters