Impact of Fever During Early Pregnancy on Congenital Malformations

Introduction

Fever in the first trimester of pregnancy is believed to increase the risk of serious congenital malformations in infants. Recent research conducted by Sass and colleagues explored the association between fever during pregnancy and congenital abnormalities within a Danish cohort.

Understanding Fever and Its Effects

Fever is the body’s natural response to infections, characterized by an elevated body temperature. This physiological change can disrupt normal protein synthesis, potentially leading to cell membrane damage, cell death, and complications such as placental stroke. In pregnant women, these disruptions may contribute to congenital malformations in their children.

Research Methodology

To investigate this issue, Sass and colleagues utilized the Danish National Birth Cohort study, which included data from 77,344 women who reported their pregnancies along with details regarding fever episodes. The researchers examined the connection between fever occurrences and congenital malformations in infants during the first three and a half years of life. The findings were published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Findings on Fever and Congenital Malformations

Out of the participants, 8,321 women reported experiencing fever during their first trimester. Among the infants, 2,876 were subsequently diagnosed with congenital malformations. However, the study found no significant link between reported fever during the first trimester and the occurrence of malformations. Notably, among the infants with congenital abnormalities, those whose mothers experienced fever were at an increased risk for malformations related to the face, neck, eyes, ears, and genitals. Conversely, there was a reduced risk of malformations in the nervous system, urinary tract, and respiratory system.

Possible Explanations and Future Research

The findings suggest that the lack of a significant connection between fever and major malformations may be due to a few factors. It is possible that severe malformations lead to early miscarriages, preventing their inclusion in the study. Additionally, women who underwent prenatal screening might have chosen to terminate pregnancies affected by detectable malformations, thus eliminating these cases from the cohort. Furthermore, the participants in this study may represent a healthier demographic than the general population.

These results challenge previous studies linking fever during pregnancy to congenital malformations, indicating a need for further research to address potential biases within the cohort study.

Conclusion

The investigation by Sass et al. underscores the complexity of the relationship between fever during pregnancy and congenital malformations, prompting a call for more in-depth studies to clarify these associations.

Reference

Sass et al. Fever in pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2017) 17:413.