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Obstetric Complications and Schizophrenia a Case-Control Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Flavia Günther-Genta
Affiliation:
University Department of Adult Psychiatry (DAMPS), Lausanne, Switzerland
Pierre Bovet*
Affiliation:
University Department of Adult Psychiatry (PPU A), Lausanne
Patrick Hohlfeld
Affiliation:
Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics (CHUV), Lausanne
*
PPU A, 18, av. de Sévelin, CH-1004, Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract

Schizophrenics have been repeatedly found to experience more obstetric complications (OCs) at birth. The meaning of such a finding is debated, and the aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of OCs' aetiological role in schizophrenia. We compared a group of schizophrenic patients with their siblings and controls, on the basis of obstetric files stemming from the same University Hospital Maternity Ward. Schizophrenic patients had more frequent umbilical cord complications and atypical presentations, as well as higher scores on a scale measuring OCs linked to possible neonatal asphyxia.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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