Childbirth

The etiology of schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses appear to be multifactorial, with some evidence that environmental factors, especially at the time of pregnancy or the birth process, may contribute to these illnesses. The authors examined 27 individuals who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic illnesses whose mothers were part of the Collaborative Perinatal Project in Rhode Island. The 27 individuals were matched with 54 control subjects from this project, and stored maternal serum samples were examined for maternal levels of IgG and IgM class immunoglobulins and for specific antibodies to infectious agents that might affect brain development. The authors found that the IgG and IgM immunoglobulin levels were significantly higher for the case series vs the control series. They also found that maternal antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein gG2 were significantly higher in the mothers whose offspring had a psychotic diagnosis than those of the control group. The authors concluded that the children of mothers with increased IgG, IgM immunoglobulin levels and antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 were at an increased risk for subsequent psychotic illnesses.

Bibliography

1. Maternal Infections and Subsequent Psychosis Among Offspring - http://doctor.medscape.com/viewarticle/412571_2