Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute have recently discovered a link between fevers during pregnancy and autism. According to their findings, women who spiked a fever while pregnant were much more likely to have a baby diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.
There were 191 mothers who participated in this study who reported developing fevers while pregnant. Out of that group, 76 took medication to bring their temperature down, while the other 115 did not take anything to lower the fever. And the findings were pretty stunning as far as the autism spectrum goes. The women who did not take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower their fever were 2 1/2 times more likely to have babies with a communication disorder, and 2 3/4 times more likely to have babies with developmental problems.
But the women who did take medication to treat their fevers? The autism link went down drastically -- as their babies were no more likely to be on the spectrum as mothers who did not have fevers while pregnant.
Researchers theorize that when a woman spikes a fever, her body has an inflammatory response to fight whatever infection she has. When that response is suppressed by taking medication, the risk of the baby having a developmental or behavioral problem goes down.
I can remember getting a pretty nasty cold when I was pregnant with my son, but luckily, I never developed a fever. But I was very hesitant to take anything to alleviate my miserable symptoms for fear of harming my baby. However, my doctor did assure me that it was safe to take Tylenol if I was experiencing aches and pains. Getting that reassurance from her really put me at ease.
I don't think this study should cause any sort of alarm if you do happen to spike a fever while pregnant. If anything, it serves as an important reminder to call your doctor in the event that it happens, and he or she can advise you of what kind of medication to take, how much, and how often, etc.
Have you experienced any fevers or health problems during your pregnancy?
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Comments 60
Nope. Never had any problems. I've heard a lot of women don't want to take medications during pregnancy b/c they are worried it will hurt the baby.
No, allergies was all.
Decades of lies and excuses....
I had the flu with my second child and a fever, chills, the whole mess. She is not my child on the spectrum. I do not think there is much merit to this, it seems they just report every little thing that MAY possibly link to Autism, but its not vaccines....???!!!!! (sarcasm)
This is the biggest piece of bullshit EVER!!!
-.- i had a fever with a cold and tummy flu with my second son and we've watched him for autism and so far nope. so i'm happy about that. my first son i didn't get sick once (which was weird) well besides morning sickness for the first 3 hours after i woke up for the first 4 months, and i never had a fever every time i had morning sickness i thought i was getting sick and would take my temp and it was normal every time. and i never took medicine when i was prego which sucked with allergies but i didn't want to . and guess what he has autism. so there may have been a study and it may have shown that but it isn't true for everyone. no study is true for everyone.