Association of measures of fetal and childhood growth with non-clinical psychotic symptoms in 12-year-olds: The ALSPAC cohort

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have suggested that impaired fetal and childhood growth are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but the association of pre-adult growth with non-clinical psychotic symptoms (psychosis-like symptoms) in children is not known. Aims: To explore the associations of body size at birth and age 7.5 years with childhood psychosis-like symptoms. Method: Prospective cohort of children followed up from birth to age 12: the ALSPAC cohort. Results: Data on 6000 singleton infants born after 37 weeks of gestation. A one standard deviation increase in birth weight was associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of definite psychosis-like symptoms after adjusting..