Maternal immune system and its effect on baby’s brain

 Examples of immune system triggers

The immune system activators such as infections, stress, illness and allergies will cause proteins to be secreted thus inducing inflammatory reactions. These proteins could confer positive effects or negative effects as identified in tests on animal models. However, there is little work done on humans to ascertain their impact. Some BLS healthcare providers may not even be fully aware of this.

For better conclusion, on the maternal immune system and its effect on their children brain development, the researchers had to monitor young women through pregnancy, childbirth and until their children were toddlers.

The research findings revealed that a child’s short- and long-term brain functionality could be influenced by their mom’s immune system activity, especially in the old age of pregnancy i.e. the last term of pregnancy.

A change in the fetal heart rate in the babies among pregnant women is a likely indication of inflammatory responses. Therefore, the researchers observed that the association between fetal heart rate and the nervous system was an indication that maternal inflammation was starting to cause negative effects on the fetus even before birth.

 Effects of inflammation on communication between brain regions

Increased protein levels during pregnancy confer negativity in the fetal development and when a fetal scan is done during the first few weeks after parturition, it will reveal disrupted communications between the different brain segments. This is a clear signal for inflammation.

Continued monitoring of babies at 14 months old, Dr. Bradley Peterson, the director of the hospital’s Institute for the Developing Mind revealed some differences in motor skills, language development and behavior among the kids of women whose immune systems had been stimulated by protein release and by inflammation.

 Markers for inflammation within the maternal blood

Bio-markers of inflammation present in the maternal blood. They are usually associated with short- and long-term changes in their child’s brain. Dr. Peterson declared that the identification of this inflammation markers will help come up with preventive strategies to curb congenital disorders while still in the womb and also after parturition and beyond.

Need for further research on inflammation effects on pregnancy

The primary immune system could be activated by various factors some of which may have no effect on pregnancy and the fetus. Though there have been advancements in this studies, enough work is yet to be undertaken to give a satisfactory response as to how the  activation of the maternal immune system will have adverse effects on their babies.