TY - JOUR
T1 - Season of birth
T2 - schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
AU - Boyd, J. H.
AU - Pulver, A. E.
AU - Stewart, W.
PY - 1986
Y1 - 1986
N2 - Studies investigating the association between the risk of schizophrenia and season of birth are reviewed and the association clearly established. This association cannot be explained on the basis of age-incidence or age-prevalence artifacts. Other studies suggest there may be an association between bipolar disorder and season of birth. The leading theory in explaining the season of birth phenomenon is that a seasonal factor (such as viral infection, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, prenatal or obstetrical complications, or ambient temperature) can damage an infant's brain and thereby predispose the child to later development of psychosis. Evidence suggests that the seasonal effect is associated with a subgroup of schizophrenics who have early onset of psychosis, less genetic loading than other schizophrenics, and better prognosis. Case-control studies are needed comparing winterborn to nonwinter-born schizophrenics.
AB - Studies investigating the association between the risk of schizophrenia and season of birth are reviewed and the association clearly established. This association cannot be explained on the basis of age-incidence or age-prevalence artifacts. Other studies suggest there may be an association between bipolar disorder and season of birth. The leading theory in explaining the season of birth phenomenon is that a seasonal factor (such as viral infection, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, prenatal or obstetrical complications, or ambient temperature) can damage an infant's brain and thereby predispose the child to later development of psychosis. Evidence suggests that the seasonal effect is associated with a subgroup of schizophrenics who have early onset of psychosis, less genetic loading than other schizophrenics, and better prognosis. Case-control studies are needed comparing winterborn to nonwinter-born schizophrenics.
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U2 - 10.1093/schbul/12.2.173
DO - 10.1093/schbul/12.2.173
M3 - Review article
C2 - 3520803
AN - SCOPUS:0022567703
SN - 0586-7614
VL - 12
SP - 173
EP - 186
JO - Schizophrenia bulletin
JF - Schizophrenia bulletin
IS - 2
ER -