Postmaturity in a genetic subtype of schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether postmaturity (gestation > 41 weeks), small for gestational age (SGA), and other pregnancy and birth complications that may elevate risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, are associated with elevated risk for schizophrenia in 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22qDS), a genetic subtype of schizophrenia.


METHODS
Antepartum and intrapartum features were examined in 20 adults with 22qDS-schizophrenia and three comparison groups: newborn encephalopathy (n = 164) and healthy newborn controls (n = 400) from Badawi et al.'s (Br Med J 1998, 317: 1549) study, and 16 non-psychotic 22qDS adults (22qDS-NP).


RESULTS
Postmaturity (OR 13.0, 95% CI 3.95, 42.77; P < 0.001) and SGA (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.23, 10.5; P = 0.03) were more prevalent in 22qDS-SZ than controls. Postmaturity was non-significantly more prevalent in 22qDS-SZ than in newborn encephalopathy (P = 0.06) or 22qDS-NP (P = 0.2). SGA showed similar rates in the two 22qDS groups and newborn encephalopathy, but was more prevalent in 22qDS-NP than controls (P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that postmaturity may be associated with expression of schizophrenia in a 22qDS subtype of schizophrenia. SGA may be a non-specific marker of neurodevelopmental disturbance.
Chow
E W C
EW
Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Husted
J
J
Weksberg
R
R
Bassett
A S
AS
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001927:Brain Diseases; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007233:Infant, Postmature; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*