Infections as a baby ‘lead to violent adults’

CHILDREN who suffer serious infections are more likely to go on to commit violent crimes in later life, a study suggests.

Babies who suffered brain infections such as meningitis before their first birthday were found to be 20 per cent more likely to become violent criminals than those who did not. Having an infection up to the age of 14 increased the chance of being a violent criminal by 10 per cent.

While the physical connection between disease and violence is not known, researchers speculate that in some cases infections may activate a gene called CDH13 that has been linked to ‘extreme violent criminal behaviour’.

Scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute studied medical and criminal records of 2.2million people. Their research in the journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity concludes: ‘Our results suggest that infections during brain development could be part of the genesis of violent criminal behaviour.’

Early exposure to infections may trigger higher levels of brain inflammation, which then affects brain development.

Children who suffered four infections were more likely to become criminal than those with fewer infections. Brain infections had a bigger impact than other infections that did not affect the central nervous system such as gastroenteritis.