Are neurological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their siblings the result of perinatal trauma?

Objective: Previous findings of increased neurological abnormalities in sch izophrenic patients and their non-psychotic siblings raise the question of possible causes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role o f perinatal trauma in the aetiology of neurological abnormality. Method: Obstetric information obtained from hospital records for 55 schizop hrenic patients and 19 non-psychotic siblings was scored blindly and separa tely from a neurological assessment of hard and soft signs. Results: Obstetric complications (OCs) were significantly increased in pati ents but not in siblings compared to their respective neonatal control grou ps. Neurological abnormalities were related to OCs in siblings but not in p atients. Neurological abnormalities in patients were negatively related to reduced neonatal head circumference. Conclusion: Early somatic trauma may increase the probability of neurologic al abnormality in individuals who are genetically 'at risk'.