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Schizophrenia Following Pre-natal Exposure to Influenza Epidemics Between 1939 and 1960

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Pak C. Sham ,
Eadbhard O'Callaghan ,
Noriyoshi Takei ,
Graham K. Murray ,
Edward H. Hare  and
Robin M. Murray
Pak C. Sham
Affiliation:
Genetics Section, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Eadbhard O'Callaghan
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Noriyoshi Takei
Affiliation:
Genetics Section, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Graham K. Murray*
Affiliation:
Genetics Section, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Edward H. Hare
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals, London
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

We examined the relationship between the dates of births of schizophrenic patients admitted to hospitals for the first time in England and Wales between 1970 and 1979, and the occurrence of influenza epidemics between 1939 and 1960. Our results indicate that exposure to influenza epidemics between the third and seventh month of gestation is associated with schizophrenia in adult life. The hypothesis that maternal viral infection is an important cause of schizophrenia can explain many aspects of the enigmatic epidemiology of the condition.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 160 , Issue 4 , April 1992 , pp. 461 - 466
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1992 

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