Perinatal complications and genetic loading in schizophrenia: preliminary findings.
History of perinatal complications (PCs) and first degree family history (FH) of psychiatric illness were examined in groups of schizophrenic/schizoaffective (n = 21) and bipolar (n = 10) patients. PCs were significantly more frequent in the schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients than in bipolar patients. An inverse relationship was found between PCs and FH status, with FH-positive patients having significantly fewer PCs than the FH-negative group. This relationship persisted when the bipolar patients were excluded. Findings emphasize the etiological importance of genetics and perinatal events in the psychoses, and support the validity of a familial/sporadic distinction.
Schwarzkopf
S B
SB
Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, Columbus.
Nasrallah
H A
HA
Olson
S C
SC
Coffman
J A
JA
McLaughlin
J A
JA
D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics