Maternal psychopathology, obstetric complications and schizophrenia. Review of the literature

An association between schizophrenia and obstetric complication has been fo und by numerous studies. Since maternal psychic disorder may be a risk fact or for the occurrence of obstetric complications, it is important to elucid ate the links between maternal psychopathology and pregnancy and/or deliver y complications. Studies assessing the relationships between psychic disord er during pregnancy and obstetric complications in the general population s uggest that maternal depression during pregnancy may be a risk factor for s omatic obstetric complications. Conversely, obstetric complications may inc rease the incidence of post-natal depression. Finally, studies carried out in subjects with schizophrenia suggest that somatic obstetric complications and maternal psychic disorder, or maternal exposure to severe life events, may be independent risk factors for schizophrenia.