Febrile Coronavirus and Autism

Background: A number of reports have pointed to the apparent relationship between reduced IGF1 in pregnancies and the development of autism in the offspring. Fever due to inflammatory processes in the gravida emerges as a potential key factor in this phenomenon. Methods of Inquiry: Investigations have reported an increase in neonatal autism related to enhanced production of interleukins in some gravidas before delivery. The medical records of the mothers of autistic children were examined retrospectively for pertinent factors. Women who had endured infection-related fevers during their pregnancies were more likely to have delivered children with neurologic deficiencies such as autism and schizophrenia. Conclusions: Inflammatory occurrences such as with women infected by Covid-19 during pregnancy produce enhanced levels of cytokines, especially interleukin-6, which can disrupt IGF1-mediated neurogenesis and CNS circuitry formation in the neonate.