Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Flu and Schizophrenia

A recent research study by Columbia University identified that approximately 14% of schizophrenia cases seem to have been caused by influenza during pregnancy.

The study indicated that Flu during the first trimester of pregnancy increased risk of developing schizophrenia in the child by approx. 700%, while flu during the third trimester increased schizophrenia risk for the child by 300%.

"This is the first time that this association has been shown using" blood tests that confirmed influenza infection during pregnancy, lead author Dr. Alan S. Brown, from Columbia University in New York, told Reuters Health. "It provides what I think is the strongest evidence to date linking (prenatal) influenza exposure with schizophrenia."

This report emphasizes the fact that any woman who is pregnant should make sure she gets a flu shot as soon as she can and be extra cautious in all the areas that have been linked to schizophrenia during pregnancy.

Read the Full Story here: Flu During Pregnancy Linked to Schizophrenia

For a full report on these factors involved in schizophrenia see our web page on:

Reducing Schizophrenia Risks During Pregnancy