Longitudinal course of schizophrenia spectrum symptoms in offspring of psychiatrically hospitalized mothers.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe schizophrenia spectrum symptoms (SZSD) in children and adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) as adults.


BACKGROUND
There are no descriptive studies of children who develop into adults with SPD.


METHODS
Twelve offspring of psychiatrically hospitalized mothers (6 mothers with schizophrenia), were compared with 11 socioeconomic status (SES)-matched offspring of control, non-ill mothers. Offspring were evaluated clinically and psychometrically between infancy and 2, 10, 15 years of age, and adulthood. Adult Axis I and II diagnoses were made blind to infant and parent status.


RESULTS
Six hospitalized mothers were diagnosed with schizophrenia, 6 with other severe psychopathology. Offspring with SZSD more likely had schizophrenic mothers, and childhood deteriorating IQs, symptoms of social isolation, constricted affect, digressive speech, suspiciousness, and excessive social anxiety. Global assessment scores in SZSD offspring were lower in childhood and adulthood than comparison offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with SZSD met currently accepted criteria for schizotypy; 3 by 10 years of age, and 2 by 19 years of age. Differential diagnosis is discussed. An appendix of case histories is presented.
Carlson
Gabrielle A
GA
Stony Brook University Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA. Gabrielle.Carlson@StonyBrook.edu
Fish
Barbara
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011932:Reading; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D014705:Verbal Behavior