Schizophrenia and complications of pregnancy and labor: An individual patient data meta-analysis

Several epidemiological studies have reported an association between compli cations of pregnancy and delivery and schizophrenia, but none have had suff icient power to examine specific complications that, individually, are of l ow prevalence, We, therefore, performed an individual patient meta-analysis using the raw data from case control studies that used the Lewis-Murray sc ale, Data were obtained from 12 studies on 700 schizophrenia subjects and 8 35 controls. There were significant associations between schizophrenia and premature rupture of membranes, gestational age shorter than 37 weeks, and use of resuscitation or incubator, There were associations of borderline si gnificance between schizophrenia and birthweight lower than 2,500 g and for ceps delivery. There was no significant interaction between these complicat ions and sex. We conclude that some abnormalities of pregnancy and delivery may be associated with development of schizophrenia. The pathophysiology m ay involve hypoxia and so future studies should focus on the accurate measu rement of this exposure.