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Pre- and perinatal complications and "childhood schizophrenia": a comparison of five controlled studies

M Pollack1, M G Woerner

  • 1Hillside Hospital, 75-59, 263rd Street, Glen Oaks, New York, USA.

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|January 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pregnancy complications are linked to childhood psychosis, but low birth weight alone is not. Other factors like reproductive loss and severe illness may also play a role in childhood mental health.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Childhood schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with complex etiology.
  • Understanding risk factors for childhood psychosis is crucial for early intervention.
  • Previous research has explored various prenatal and perinatal influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing investigations on the association between pre- and perinatal complications and childhood schizophrenia.
  • To compare findings across multiple studies regarding specific risk factors.
  • To identify significant variables contributing to the development of childhood psychosis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of five independent investigations was conducted.
  • Studies compared incidence rates of pre- and perinatal complications in childhood schizophrenic samples versus normal control samples.
  • Data on birth weight, reproductive history, and postnatal health were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • All reviewed studies found a significant association between pregnancy complications and childhood psychosis.
  • No consistent relationship was identified between low birth weight and the development of childhood psychosis.
  • Previous reproductive loss, severe postnatal illness, and birth complications emerged as potential significant variables.

Conclusions:

  • Complications during pregnancy are significantly associated with childhood psychosis.
  • Low birth weight, in isolation, does not appear to be a direct risk factor for childhood psychosis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors in childhood mental health disorders.

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