There has been debate in the past for and against the flu vaccination in pregnancy.

 

However, a recent study published on November 28 by Jama Pediatrics has found that there was no link between the flu or flu vaccination and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

 

Children whose mothers have had the flu during pregnancy, or the flu vaccination after the first trimester are not at risk of ASD, the study has concluded.

 

 

“There was a suggestion of increased ASD risk among children whose mothers received influenza vaccinations early in pregnancy, although the association was insignificant after statistical correction for multiple comparisons,” the research reads. 

 

The study was carried out over 10 years between 2000 and 2010, and included 196,929 children from California - 3101 were diagnosed with ASD.

 

Lisa Croen the Senior Author of the study, told Reuters Health: “Our data showed pretty convincingly that there was no association with influenza at any time during pregnancy and autism in the child.”

 

Croen also recommended women continue to get vaccinated whilst pregnant.

 

 

The study was adjusted based on possible covariates such as the mother’s health and the child’s sex, and concluded that no changes were being recommended to the vaccine policy or practice.

 

“We believe that additional studies are warranted to further evaluate any potential associations between first-trimester maternal influenza vaccination and autism.”

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