BACKGROUND:

There is conflicting evidence about the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with schizophrenia.

AIMS:

To investigate the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and intra-uterine growth retardation among women with schizophrenia.

METHOD:

A total of 2212 births to 1537 women with schizophrenia in Denmark were compared with a random sample of all deliveries in Denmark in 1973-1993 (122,931 births to 72,742 women).

RESULTS:

The children of women with schizophrenia were at increased risk of preterm delivery (relative risk = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.19-1.79), low birth weight (relative risk = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.36-1.82) and small for gestational age (relative risk = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.17-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS:

Women with schizophrenia are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. This may be associated with an increased mortality and general morbidity and risk of schizophrenia in their children.