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Obstetric complications and schizophrenia: prenatal underdevelopment and subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment
H Kunugi1, S Nanko, R M Murray
1Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 11-1, Kaga 2 Chrome, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan. hkunugi@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Insights
Low birthweight is a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Prenatal underdevelopment and associated brain damage may contribute to schizophrenia development and poor early functioning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Obstetric complications are frequently associated with schizophrenia.
- Prenatal underdevelopment and neurodevelopmental abnormalities are hypothesized to link to schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prenatal underdevelopment, neurodevelopmental abnormality, and schizophrenia.
- To determine if low birthweight is a risk factor for schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review.
- Pooling data from recently published reports.
- Examining low birthweight (< 2500 g) as a risk factor for schizophrenia.
Main Results:
- Low birthweight was significantly more common in schizophrenia subjects (odds ratio 2.6).
- Premature birth increases risk of perinatal brain damage and neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
- Schizophrenia patients with low birthweight showed poorer premorbid psychosocial adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Low birthweight is a confirmed risk factor for schizophrenia.
- Brain damage from prenatal underdevelopment plays a role in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
- Prenatal factors contribute to neurodevelopmental impairment in some schizophrenia cases.
Background:
Many studies have shown an association between obstetric complications and schizophrenia.
Aims:
To investigate the possible relationship between prenatal underdevelopment, neurodevelopmental abnormality and subsequent schizophrenia.
Method:
The literature was reviewed. In particular, by pooling data from recently published reports, we examined whether low birthweight (< 2500 g) is a risk factor for schizophrenia.
Results:
Low birthweight was significantly more common for subjects with schizophrenia than for control subjects: P < 0.00001, odds ratio 2.6 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.3). Individuals born prematurely are at greater risk of perinatal brain damage and subsequent neurodevelopmental abnormalities, which may constitute vulnerability to the development of schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia who had low birthweights also tended to have poor premorbid psychosocial adjustment.
Conclusions:
Low birthweight is a modest, but definite, risk factor for schizophrenia. Brain damage associated with prenatal underdevelopment has a role in the pathogenesis of poor premorbid functioning and subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment in some cases of schizophrenia.