OBJECTIVE: Increased obstetrical complications have been reported in individuals with adult-onset schizophrenia, with several studies finding an association between such complications and an earlier age at onset. Consequently, obstetrical records were examined for individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia to determine if birth complications were more prevalent. METHOD: The birth records of 36 patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia and 35 sibling comparison subjects were rated for birth complications by two psychiatrists who were unaware of group membership. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in rates of obstetrical complications. Patients with such complications did not have a relatively earlier age at onset of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: A very early age at onset of schizophrenia is probably not due to birth complications.
OBJECTIVE: Increased obstetrical complications have been reported in individuals with adult-onset schizophrenia, with several studies finding an association between such complications and an earlier age at onset. Consequently, obstetrical records were examined for individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia to determine if birth complications were more prevalent. METHOD: The birth records of 36 patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia and 35 sibling comparison subjects were rated for birth complications by two psychiatrists who were unaware of group membership. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in rates of obstetrical complications. Patients with such complications did not have a relatively earlier age at onset of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: A very early age at onset of schizophrenia is probably not due to birth complications.
Authors: Francesco Margari; Maria G Petruzzelli; Paola A Lecce; Orlando Todarello; Andrea De Giacomo; Elisabetta Lucarelli; Domenico Martinelli; Lucia Margari Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2011-04-14 Impact factor: 3.630