Influence of pediatric vaccines on social behavior in the rhesus monkey

Influenza is a major public health concern and pregnant women have been identified as a subgroup with increased susceptibility for severe complication from the influenza virus, in particular the H1N1 strain. Despite this knowledge, many pregnant women opt not to receive the influenza vaccine. One reason for this appears to be a fear that the vaccine will cause harm to their unborn child. To date no study has been conducted to assess neurodevelopment in children exposed prenatally to influenza vaccine. Usingparticipants in theMother to Baby CAWomb to Classroom screening program a pilot studywas conducted examining neurodevelopment in three groups of children (prenatal influenza vaccine N= 26; prenatal fever or flu-like symptoms but no vaccine N= 10; no vaccine, fever or flu-like symptoms N= 17). All participants with exposure to known and/or suspected behavioral teratogens were excluded from this analysis. A linear regression model and likelihood ratio test was run using the statistical software R to calculate beta estimates and p-values. Neurodevelopmentwas assessed with the 12–16 month maternal self-report screening questionnaire, ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ), which provides outcome scores for five domains (communication, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving skills, personal social skills). Unadjusted models show no statistically significant difference between the groups on any outcome scores with beta estimates ranging from−2.9 to 5.5 and p-values of 0.3 and higher. While the sample size is small and the outcomemeasure is crude, the results of this pilot study suggest no adverse neurobehavioral effects from prenatal influenza vaccine.