OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Schizophrenics have been repeatedly found to experience more obstetric complications (OCs) at birth. The meaning of such a finding is debate d, and the aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of OCs' aetiological role in schizophrenia. We compared a group of schizo phrenic patients with their siblings and controls, on the basis of obs tetric files stemming from the same University Hospital Maternity Ward . Schizophrenic patients had more frequent umbilical cord complication s and atypical presentations, as well as higher scores on a scale meas uring OCs linked to possible neonatal asphyxia.