Perinatal circumstances and risk of offspring suicide. Birth cohort study

A higher risk of suicide has been associated with low birth weight in one study, but not yet replicated. Higher birth order has been associated with self-harm, but not with suicide.

To examine the relationship between perinatal circumstances and subsequent young adult suicide in Scotland.

Using linked data from the Scottish Morbidity Record and Scottish death records, a birth cohort of 1061830 people was followed-up for a mean of 25.1 years. Data were analysed using Cox regression.

Higher maternal parity, younger maternal age (<25 years), non-professional parental occupations and low birth weight (<2500 g) were independently associated with higher suicide risk of offspring as young adults. There was no independent association with gestational age.

Our findings provide support for the influence of maternal circumstance and foetal experience on subsequent mental health.