Association between childhood infection, serum inflammatory markers and intelligence: findings from a population-based prospective birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT: A link between infection, inflammation, neurodevelopment and adult illnesses has been proposed. The objective of this study was to examine the association between infection burden during childhood - a critical period of development for the immune and nervous systems - and subsequent systemic inflammatory markers and general intelligence. In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective birth cohort in England, we examined the association of exposure to infections during childhood, assessed at seven follow-ups between age 1·5 and 7·5 years, with subsequent: (1) serum interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at age 9; (2) intelligence quotient (IQ) at age 8. We also examined the relationship between inflammatory markers and IQ. Very high infection burden (90+ pe

SUBMITTER: Mackinnon N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5851035 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature