PRENATAL AND NEONATAL RISK-FACTORS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background The present study examines the effects of independent, sing le pre- and perinatal risk factors and rates of obstetric complication s upon the subsequent development of schizophrenia. Method This study was based on prospectively recorded birth records of 107 cases (82 wit h schizophrenic disorders and 25 with other psychotic reactions) and 2 14 controls, individually matched by gender and time and place of birt h. Variables univariately associated with a significantly elevated ris k were entered in a logistic regression model. Results A high non-opti mality summary score(greater than or equal to 7 complications of 34 po ssible) was a significant risk estimate for the total index group (OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.74-12.03) and the 82 schizophrenic patients (OR 3.67, C I 1.30-10.36). Patients with 2-6 complications also had an increased, although lower, risk (OR 1.67, CI 1.02-2.75). A disproportionate birth weight for body length (OR 3.57, CI 1.77-7.19) and a small head circu mference (OR 3.93, CI 1.32-11.71) were the strongest independent risk factors. Conclusions A contribution of obstetric complications to the risk of schizophrenia was confirmed. Only aberrations in physical size remained as individual independent risk factors.