Fetal Inflammatory Response and Risk for Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract Objective: Inflammation contributes to numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, especially those that first appear in childhood. Maternal intrauterine environment, including the placenta, has a role in brain development and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. This study examines the link between fetal inflammatory syndrome (FIRS), which is placental inflammation in the peri-partem period, and neuropsychiatric disorders during childhood.Method: This is a retrospective cohort study using data from electronic medical records over a 19-year period at one women’s hospital. The study includes 4,420 children born with placentas meeting criteria for and 31,403 controls identified with normal placentas born during the same period. The primary outcome of the study is incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders during childhood. The secondary outcomes were psychiatric medications prescribed, and psychiatric hospitalizations and treatment.Results: Children born to placentas meeting criteria for FIRS were more likely to be diagnosed with neuropsychiatric disorders (OR=1.10, CI 95% [1.04,1.50]). Specifically, they were more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (OR= 1.32, CI 95% [1.08, 1.62]), ADHD (OR=1.30, CI 95% [1.10, 1.53]), conduct disorder (OR= 1.59, CI 95% [1.32, 1.90]), PTSD (OR= 2.69. CI 95% [1.35, 5.36]), and bipolar disorders (OR= 3.23, CI 95% [1.24, 8.39]), adjusting for maternal history of psychiatric disorders, intra-partem substance use, and prescriptions of anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion: Children born with placental inflammation are at an increased risk to develop neuropsychiatric disorders. This has profound implications for future research, and early detection, monitoring, and treatment in these children.