Maternal infection in gestation increases the risk of non-affective psychosis in offspring: a meta-analysis

The role of latitude and infections in the month-of-birth effect linked to schizophrenia

“…The following exploratory variables were defined a priori: age of study (defined as the time from the median of the study period), latitude, daylight, and infections previously implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis (including influenza, meningococcal disease, enterovirus and toxoplasmosis) as detailed in our protocol published on PROSPERO, ID: CRD42022299737. These variables were selected because of existing evidence of their role in contributing to the underlying seasonal variation of schizophrenia births ( Davies et al, 2003a ; Parker et al, 2000 ; Selten et al, 2000 ; Suvisaari et al, 2001 ; Torrey et al, 1977 ; Saatci et al, 2021 ; Khandaker et al, 2012 ).,…”

“…The developing brain is particularly susceptible to environmental factors that can influence genetically determined neurodevelopmental processes. Several observational studies have identified an association between maternal infection during pregnancy and subsequent increased risk of schizophrenia in their offspring ( Buka et al, 2001 , 2008 ; Babulas et al, 2006 ; Saatci et al, 2021 ). Timing of infection is important, and although not comprehensive, infections in the second trimester seem to mediate this increased risk ( Saatci et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Several observational studies have identified an association between maternal infection during pregnancy and subsequent increased risk of schizophrenia in their offspring ( Buka et al, 2001 , 2008 ; Babulas et al, 2006 ; Saatci et al, 2021 ). Timing of infection is important, and although not comprehensive, infections in the second trimester seem to mediate this increased risk ( Saatci et al, 2021 ). This is further supported by evidence from mouse models of maternal immune activation, in which pregnant mice are challenged with immune insults and their adult offspring show disease relevant behavioural, pathological, and neurochemical changes ( Gumusoglu and Stevens, 2019 ).…”

Primary Psychosis: Risk and Protective Factors and Early Detection of the Onset

“…Prenatal and perinatal environment, and consequently insults, is largely implicated in the etiopathogenesis of primary psychosis, even though its specific contribution remains unclear [23]. Recent meta-analyses and umbrella reviews have revealed that several pregnancy-related and perinatal risk factors are significantly associated with psychosis [13,15,23,24,48], suggesting the possible role of suboptimal number of antenatal care visits on mother's mental health [23]. Obstetric complications represent some of the most studied and most consistently implicated environmental risk factors.…”

“…Obstetric complications represent some of the most studied and most consistently implicated environmental risk factors. Among them, worth mentioning are diabetes or obesity during pregnancy [15]; emergency caesarean section [15]; threatened premature delivery [15]; uterine atony [15]; unspecified obstetric complications [13,15,23,24]; antepartum hemorrhage [15,23]; hypoxia [23]; preterm ruptured membranes [23]; polyhydramnios [23]; HSV type 2, Toxoplasma gondii or other unspecified maternal infections [13,23,48], especially during the second trimester [48]; maternal anemia [13]; maternal stress not otherwise specified [13,23]; maternal nutritional deficits [13,23]; asphyxia during delivery [23].…”