Mediators of the association between parental severe mental illness and offspring neurodevelopmental problems.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Parental severe mental illness (SMI) is associated with an increased risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted a study to examine the extent to which risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age mediated this association.

Methods

We obtained data on offspring born 1992-2001 in Sweden (n = 870,017) through the linkage of multiple population-based registers. We used logistic and Cox regression to assess the associations between parental SMI, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and offspring ASD and ADHD, as well as tested whether adverse pregnancy outcomes served as mediators.

Results

After controlling for measured covariates, maternal and paternal SMI were associated with

SUBMITTER: McCoy BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4135008 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature