Birth factors could influence schizophrenia development in certain genetic subtype

New research published in Genetics in Medicine has indicated that premature birth and low birth weight may be linked with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia in individuals with the genetic condition termed 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. “Low birth weight and preterm birth have been proposed as risk factors in schizophrenia in general, but past studies have not shown a large effect on risk,” explained the study’s senior author Anne Bassett (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). The study, which was carried out at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (ON, Canada), involved 123 adults with genetically confirmed 22q11.2 deletion...