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Obstetric complications in children born to parents with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of case-control studies
Insights
Births to parents with schizophrenia show a slightly increased risk of obstetric complications, low birthweight, and poor neonatal condition. This finding, based on meta-analyses, highlights a small but significant association in schizophrenia research.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Psychiatry
- Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Previous research suggests potential links between parental schizophrenia and adverse birth outcomes.
- Understanding these risks is crucial for early intervention and preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the risk of obstetric complications in births to parents with schizophrenia using meta-analysis.
- To quantify the association between parental schizophrenia and adverse perinatal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 14 published studies meeting specific inclusion criteria.
- Inclusion criteria: schizophrenia diagnosis in either parent, exclusion of non-schizophrenic psychoses, and use of normal controls.
- Data sourced from MEDLINE, PSYCLIT, and reference lists.
Main Results:
- Births to individuals with schizophrenia are associated with an increased risk of pregnancy and birth complications, low birthweight, and poor neonatal condition.
- The overall effect size for these risks is small (mean r = 0.155).
- The risk is more pronounced when the mother has schizophrenia and is not limited to specific onset times or affected offspring.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with schizophrenia have offspring with a small but statistically significant increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering parental mental health in obstetric care and neonatal assessments.
- Further research may explore the underlying mechanisms and specific risk factors within this population.
Abstract:
On the basis of previous findings, we used meta-analyses to consider whether births to parents with schizophrenia have an increased risk of obstetric complications. Meta-analyses were based on published studies satisfying the following selection criteria. The schizophrenic diagnosis could apply to either parent: parents with non-schizophrenic psychoses were not included: only normal controls were accepted. In all, 14 studies provided effect sizes or data from which these could be derived. Studies were identified by data searches through MEDLINE, PSYCLIT and through references of papers relating to the subject. Births to individuals with schizophrenia incur an increased risk of pregnancy and birth complications, low birthweight and poor neonatal condition. However, in each case the effect size is small (mean r = 0.155; 95% CI = 0.057). The risk is greater for mothers with schizophrenia and is not confined to mothers with onset pre-delivery or to the births of the children who become schizophrenic themselves.