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COVID-19, FLU, Urinary VaGINAL InfeCtions, COLDS, IN PregnanCY
If the mother is infected, is the baby infected? For some infections, like Zika and HIV, the answer is yes, the baby can be infected. For more common infections--COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, flu, urinary and vaginal infections and even colds, the baby is protected from the infections by the placenta and lining of the uterus.
If the baby is not infected, can the baby still be harmed? Despite this protection, these common infections still have adverse effects on prenatal brain development and increase the risk for later autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, and schizophrenia. When you get a respiratory infection or flu or a severe urinary tract infection, you have a sick feeling early in the illness. You know you want to be in bed. That feeling is caused by your body’s early defense system, the cytokine system. Your blood cells release the cytokines and the cytokines attack anything that looks foreign. The attack includes the placenta, which compromises its ability to support the baby’s brain development. Two of every 5 women will become infected in pregnancy.
Should I get a flu shot? What about my husband and other children? A flu shot is not absolute protections but it helps and you should get it. So should your husband and other close relatives. Flu shots not only protect mothers directly, but also indirectly by preventing others around her from getting infected and spreading it to her. That is called “herd immunity.” When the COVID-19 vaccine is available, it will also convey herd immunity. Measles vaccination for your children, your husband, and yourself is another herd immunity.
What about Tylenol (acetaminophen)? Many people take acetaminophen by itself and also in the many cold and flu remedies that contains substantial amounts of it. Acetaminophen adversely affects prenatal brain development and should be avoided.
Do choline and prenatal vitamins help? Higher levels of choline and folic acid protect the baby’s brain development. Very high levels, obtainable with supplements, appear to block much of the adverse effect of common infections. Infections are often unpredictable and can happen to any woman. Choline and folic acid supplements are effective, but only if given before the infection occurs. Like a flu shot, they are a good preventative measure to protect your baby in case you are exposed to infections.
Read more: Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, Wagner BD, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Noonan K, Wyrwa A, Hoffman MC.
Higher Gestational Choline Levels in Maternal Infection Are Protective for Infant Brain Development.
Journal of Pediatrics 2019 text
Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, Wagner BD, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Noonan K, Wyrwa A, Hoffman MC.
Maternal choline and respiratory coronavirus effects on fetal brain development
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2020 text
If the baby is not infected, can the baby still be harmed? Despite this protection, these common infections still have adverse effects on prenatal brain development and increase the risk for later autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, and schizophrenia. When you get a respiratory infection or flu or a severe urinary tract infection, you have a sick feeling early in the illness. You know you want to be in bed. That feeling is caused by your body’s early defense system, the cytokine system. Your blood cells release the cytokines and the cytokines attack anything that looks foreign. The attack includes the placenta, which compromises its ability to support the baby’s brain development. Two of every 5 women will become infected in pregnancy.
Should I get a flu shot? What about my husband and other children? A flu shot is not absolute protections but it helps and you should get it. So should your husband and other close relatives. Flu shots not only protect mothers directly, but also indirectly by preventing others around her from getting infected and spreading it to her. That is called “herd immunity.” When the COVID-19 vaccine is available, it will also convey herd immunity. Measles vaccination for your children, your husband, and yourself is another herd immunity.
What about Tylenol (acetaminophen)? Many people take acetaminophen by itself and also in the many cold and flu remedies that contains substantial amounts of it. Acetaminophen adversely affects prenatal brain development and should be avoided.
Do choline and prenatal vitamins help? Higher levels of choline and folic acid protect the baby’s brain development. Very high levels, obtainable with supplements, appear to block much of the adverse effect of common infections. Infections are often unpredictable and can happen to any woman. Choline and folic acid supplements are effective, but only if given before the infection occurs. Like a flu shot, they are a good preventative measure to protect your baby in case you are exposed to infections.
Read more: Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, Wagner BD, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Noonan K, Wyrwa A, Hoffman MC.
Higher Gestational Choline Levels in Maternal Infection Are Protective for Infant Brain Development.
Journal of Pediatrics 2019 text
Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, Wagner BD, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Noonan K, Wyrwa A, Hoffman MC.
Maternal choline and respiratory coronavirus effects on fetal brain development
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2020 text
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