Can a pregnant woman with chickenpox cause her child to develop autism?
Disease description:
I have noticed that my child now does not like to play with other children around his age, and his speech development is明显lagging behind that of his peers. Could this be related to my having chickenpox during pregnancy? May I ask if a pregnant woman having chickenpox can cause her child to develop autism?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Pregnant women developing chickenpox generally does not directly cause autism in the child. The occurrence of autism involves multiple factors, including genetics, immune system abnormalities, neurological damage, and family environment. Although viral infections during pregnancy, such as measles or influenza, may increase the risk of autism in the child, there is currently no conclusive evidence supporting a direct link between chickenpox and autism. Chickenpox in pregnant women may have other effects on the fetus. For example, contracting chickenpox early in pregnancy may lead to miscarriage or birth defects, although such cases are rare. Infection with chickenpox during the second or third trimester usually has no effect on the fetus, but contracting chickenpox near term may result in the newborn developing chickenpox, as the infant may not have sufficient antibodies to fight the virus. If you have any concerns or symptoms, seek medical attention promptly and follow your doctor's advice.
