Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0473 |
| Title: | A systematic review and meta-analysis of Northern Hemisphere season of birth studies in schizophrenia |
| Author(s): | Davies G, Welham J, Chant D, Torrey EF, McGrath J |
| Reference: | Schizophr Bull. 2003;29(3):587-93 |
| Place of Study: | Australia |
| Abstract: | Based on the epidemiological finding that individuals with schizophrenia tend to be born in winter/spring when compared to the general population, the author examined (1) the strength and timing of this effect in Northern Hemisphere sites, and (2) the correlation between the season of birth effect size and latitude. Studies were located via electronic data sources, published citations, and letters to authors. Inclusion criteria were that studies specify the diagnostic criteria used, that studies specify the counts of schizophrenia and general population births for each month, and that subjects and the general population be drawn from the same birth years and catchment area. They extracted data from eight studies based on 126,196 patients with schizophrenia and 86,605,807 general population births and drawn from 27 Northern Hemisphere sites. Comparing winter/spring versus summer/autumn births, the authors found a significant excess for winter/spring births (pooled odds ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.08; population attributable risk = 3.3%). There was a small but significant positive correlation between the odds ratios for the season of birth comparison and latitude (r = 0.271,p < 0.005). Furthermore, the shape of the seasonality in schizophrenia births varied by latitude band. These variations may encourage researchers to generate candidate seasonally fluctuating exposures. |
| Keyword(s): | schizophrenia, seasonality of birth |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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