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Risk of Schizophrenia and Age Difference with Older Siblings

Evidence for a Maternal Viral Infection Hypothesis?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Pak C. Sham ,
Charles J. Maclean  and
Kenneth S. Kendler
Pak C. Sham*
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry and Biostatistics & Computing, Institute of Psychiatry, London, and Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
Charles J. Maclean
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
Kenneth S. Kendler
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
*
∗Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, DeCrespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

Recent reports that some influenza epidemics may be followed by a transient increase in the births of schizophrenic patients have led to the hypothesis that maternal viral infections contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia. It is well known that respiratory viral infections are frequently brought into the home by young children. We tested the predictions that the risk of schizophrenia is decreased in first-born children, and increased in individuals who had siblings of a young age while in utero, using data from a Swedish family study. Our results are consistent with these predictions. In particular, having siblings three to four years older was associated with a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia, even after allowing for birth order, sibship size, and other potential confounders. If replicated, these results provide indirect support for the maternal viral infection hypothesis, although there are alternative explanations.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 163 , Issue 5 , November 1993 , pp. 627 - 633
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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