Prenatal exposure to lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid, and schizophrenia: further evidence.
BACKGROUND
A previously conducted study of prenatal lead exposure and schizophrenia using delta-aminolevulinic acid, a biologic marker of Pb exposure, in archived maternal serum samples collected from subjects enrolled in the Childhood Health and Development Study (1959-1966) based in Oakland, California, suggested a possible association between prenatal Pb exposure and the development of schizophrenia in later life.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study we extend these findings using samples collected from the New England cohort of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project (1959-1966). Using similar methods, in this study we found results that suggest a comparable association in this cohort.


METHODS
We pooled matched sets of cases and controls from both the California and New England sites using a multilevel random-intercept logistic regression model, accounting for matching and site structure as well as adjusting for maternal age at delivery and maternal education.


RESULTS
The estimated odds ratio for schizophrenia associated with exposure corresponding to 15 microg/dL of blood Pb was 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.87; p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Although several limitations constrain generalizability, these results are consistent with previous findings and provide further evidence for the role of early environmental exposures in the development of adult-onset psychiatric disorders.
Opler
Mark G A
MG
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. mgo4@columbia.edu
Buka
Stephen L
SL
Groeger
Justina
J
McKeague
Ian
I
Wei
Catherine
C
Factor-Litvak
Pam
P
Bresnahan
Michaeline
M
Graziano
Joseph
J
Goldstein
Jill M
JM
Seidman
Larry J
LJ
Brown
Alan S
AS
Susser
Ezra S
ES
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid