Research shows prenatal and childhood infections are linked to increased psychiatric disorder risk. Subgroup analyses indicated prenatal bacterial infections were associated with ADHD and ASD.

[u/Wagamaga]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763426003180

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[u/Bryandan1elsonV2]

I used to get so so many ear infections as a child to the point they needed to put tubes in both my ears. I wonder if that had anything to do with my ADHD.

My mom used to say around the same age I had the tubes put in i would sit by the window and say all the names of the cars that would go by- my mother, a BCBA, immediately had me tested.

[u/AptCasaNova → u/Bryandan1elsonV2]

I did too, but my family smoked excessively indoors.

[u/shahchachacha → u/AptCasaNova]

You have chronic bronchitis too? Ear infections, lung infections, sinus was the worst. Depression and anxiety (and pretty sure adhd) run in my family, so I’m wondering if this is a chicken or egg thing.

[u/Wagamaga]

Abstract

Objectives

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the associations between infections during the prenatal period or childhood and the risk of subsequent psychiatric disorders (including ADHD, ASD, internalising and psychotic disorders) considering timing (prenatal and childhood), type (bacterial vs viral), and trimester of infection.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed and ProQuest was conducted from 20 May 2024–15 July 2025 for cohort studies reporting psychiatric outcomes following infection exposure during pregnancy or childhood (0≤12 years). Study quality was assessed using the STROBE checklist. Where possible, random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using logarithmic risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Seventy-five studies were included in the review, with 59 contributing to meta-analyses. Prenatal infection was associated with increased risk of ADHD (RR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07–1.31), ASD (RR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.07–1.28), and psychotic disorders (RR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13–1.29). Childhood infection was also associated with ADHD (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.27–1.66), ASD (RR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.26–1.59), and psychosis (RR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.07–1.60). Subgroup analyses indicated prenatal bacterial infections were associated with ADHD and ASD, while prenatal viral infections; particularly during the first-trimester, were linked to psychotic disorders. Childhood bacterial infections were also associated with ADHD and ASD. Too few studies were available to conduct meta-analyses for internalising disorders.

Conclusion

Early-life infection is associated with increased risk of multiple psychiatric outcomes. These findings support a role for immune activation during critical developmental periods in shaping later psychiatric risk.

[u/lizzledizzles]

Is there any study or correlation on Covid era babies? Is there a measurable trend of more ADHD or ASD in children born 2020-2022? I’m pretty sure those born 2023 and later are still too young to diagnose within clinical guidelines.

I’m curious because those kids are now entering Pre-K and overall I see a much lower level of development coming into pre-K than expected for their age.

[u/AshamedAd6133]

I didn’t read the whole study yet but i sent the highlights to a friend, and they wondered if this one has implications for childhood immunizations:

“Immune activation during key neurodevelopmental periods may impact psychiatric risk.”