The offspring of schizophrenic couples.

Previous studies of the psychiatric fate of children with two schizophrenic parents were summarized. The morbid expectancy rate was estimated to be about 35 per cent. An hypothesis of benign modifying genes to explain the low expectancy was examined but failed to find support. The possibility that the hypothesized schizophrenic gene in double dose might lead to increased perinatal mortality was considered, but the relevant data suggest that noxious influences on the fetus, caused by schizophrenic concomitants in the mother during pregnancy, were more probable contributors to the perinatal mortality.