Pregnant Gluten Sensitivity Associated with Child Mental

Children born to mothers who are sensitive to gluten may be at higher risk for schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness later in life. Gluten is a protein contained in cereals, starch and wheat.

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown. The disorder is believed to arise from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Known risk factors including paternal age, exposure to viruses or toxic substances in the womb, a psychoactive drug use during adolescence and extreme stress.

A study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute and the Johns Hopkins Children's Center published in the American Journal of Psychiatry emphasized that the study does not prove that gluten sensitivity cause schizophrenia, but it has something to do.

"This study not only underscores the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy and the lifelong effects on the offspring, but also shows one of the cheap and easy way to reduce the risk if you have found further evidence that gluten sensitivity worsen the condition of the baby," says Hakan Karlsson, one of researchers as reported neturalnews, Tuesday (05/22/2012).

Researchers analyzed blood samples and records of neonatal birth of 764 people born in Sweden between 1975 and 1985. A total of 211 people turned out to develop schizophrenia or mental illness.

Later studies conducted by testing blood samples to determine IgG antibodies in the body, the immune system that responds to dairy or wheat allergies. Because maternal antibodies cross the placenta during pregnancy to provide immunity in infants, increased IgG in the newborn is a testament to the sensitivity of protein in the mother.

While researchers found no increased risk of schizophrenia in children with mothers who are allergic to milk. But children who are exposed to gluten antibodies in the womb is almost two times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders later in life.

"Lifestyle and genes are not the only risk factor for disease, and exposure to factors specific to the period before, during and after birth can cause health problems as adults. This study is an example illustration which shows that food sensitivity before birth can be catalyst in the development of schizophrenia or similar conditions 25 years later, "says researcher Robert Yolken.

Although previous studies have linked inflammatory disorders and infections in pregnant women with risk of schizophrenia in children, this is the first study that shows related to food sensitivity.

The research was inspired by World War II era who recorded a decrease in cases of schizophrenia associated with a shortage of wheat in Europe. The researchers also cited a previous study that found higher rates of schizophrenia in people with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption. But not all people who are sensitive to gluten suffer from celiac disease.

Because this study was designed only to see a correlation and not causality, the researchers wanted to continue research to find out more specific interaction between the consumption of gluten, gluten sensitivity, and risk of schizophrenia. One thing that is in question for researchers is whether gluten sensitivity may be associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia at all, or only in certain people with a genetic predisposition.