title: Elevated maternal C-reactive protein and increased risk of schizophrenia in a national birth cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to investigate an association between early gestational C-reactive protein, an established inflammatory biomarker, prospectively assayed in maternal sera, and schizophrenia in a large, national birth cohort with an extensive serum biobank.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nested case-control design from the Finnish Prenatal Study of Schizophrenia cohort was utilized. A total of 777 schizophrenia cases (schizophrenia, N=630; schizoaffective disorder, N=147) with maternal sera available for C-reactive protein testing were identified and matched to 777 control subjects in the analysis. Maternal C-reactive protein levels were assessed using a latex immunoassay from archived maternal serum specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing maternal C-reactive protein levels, classified as a continuous variable, were significantly associated with schizophrenia in offspring (adjusted odds ratio=1.31, 95% confidence interval=1.10-1.56). This finding remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal and parental history of psychiatric disorders, twin/singleton birth, urbanicity, province of birth, and maternal socioeconomic status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding provides the most robust evidence to date that maternal inflammation may play a significant role in schizophrenia, with possible implications for identifying preventive strategies and pathogenic mechanisms in schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Canetta
authors: Andre
authors: A
authors: Sourander
authors: Heljä-Marja
authors: HM
authors: Surcel
authors: Susanna
authors: S
authors: Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki
authors: Jaana
authors: J
authors: Leiviskä
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Kellendonk
authors: Ian W
authors: IW
authors: McKeague
authors: Alan S
authors: AS
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D011599:Psychopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein