Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0685 |
| Title: | Higher risk of offspring schizophrenia following antenatal maternal exposure to severe adverse life events |
| Author(s): | Khashan AS, Abel KM, McNamee R, Pedersen MG, Webb RT, Baker PN, Kenny LC, Mortensen PB |
| Reference: | Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Feb;65(2):146-52 |
| Place of Study: | Denmark |
| Abstract: | In a cohort of 1.38 million Danish births from 1973 to 1995, mothers were considered exposed if 1 (or more) of their close relatives died or was diagnosed with cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke syndrome up to 6 months before conception or during pregnancy. Offspring were followed up from their 10th birthday until their death, migration, onset of schizophrenia, or June 30, 2005; admissions were identified by linkage to the Central Psychiatric Register. Main Outcome Measure Schizophrenia. The risk of schizophrenia and related disorders was raised in offspring whose mothers were exposed to death of a relative during the first trimester (adjusted relative risk, 1.67 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.73]). Death of a relative during other trimesters or up to 6 months before pregnancy were not linked with a higher risk of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study suggests that severe stress to a mother during the first trimester may alter the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. This finding is consistent with ecological evidence from whole populations exposed to severe stressors and suggests that environment may influence neurodevelopment at the feto-placental-maternal interface. |
| Keyword(s): | prenatal stress, schizophrenia |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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