Maternal Grand Multiparity and the Risk of Severe Mental Disorders in Adult Offspring

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that maternal grand multiparity may predict an increased risk of mental disorders in young adult offspring, but whether such effects persist throughout adulthood remains unknown. The current study examined if maternal grand multiparity predicts the risks of severe mental disorders, suicides, suicide attempts and dementias throughout adult life.MethodsOur study sample comprised 13243 Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 1934–1944 participants (6905 men and 6338 women). According to hospital birth records, 341 offspring were born to grand multiparous mothers. From Finnish national hospital discharge and causes of death registers, we identified 1682 participants diagnosed with mental disorders during 1969–2010.ResultsMaternal grand multiparity predicted significantly increased risks of mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 1.64, p = 0.03), non-psychotic mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.02, p = 0.002), and suicide attempts (Hazard Ratio = 3.94, p = 0.01) in adult offspring. Furthermore, women born to grand multiparous mothers had significantly increased risks of any severe mental disorder (Hazard Ratio = 1.79, p = 0.01), non-psychotic substance use disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.77, p = 0.02) schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.40, p = 0.02), mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.40, p = 0.002), non-psychotic mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.91, p<0.001), and suicide attempts (Hazard Ratio = 5.05, p = 0.01) in adulthood. The effects of maternal grand multiparity on offspring psychopathology risk were independent of maternal age and body mass index at childbirth, and of year of birth, sex, childhood socioeconomic position, and birth weight of the offspring. In contrast, no significant effects were found among men.ConclusionsWomen born to grand multiparous mothers are at an increased risk of severe mental disorders and suicide attempts across adulthood. Our findings may inform the development of preventive interventions for mental disorders.

Prenatal and perinatal risk and protective factors for psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, as noted in the Limitations, we make no assumption that maternal and paternal ages-or any other two risk factors-are necessarily independent, and our ORs should be understood as the risk associated with each factor without adjusting for other variables. Relatedly, our finding that multiparity and nulliparity were risk and protective factors, respectively, should be viewed with caution, because while it is possible that the risk associated with multiparity acts, for example, through reduced allocation (share) of parental resources per offspring 48 or lower socioeconomic status 18,49 , multiparity is also highly correlated with maternal and paternal age (see Limitations).…”

Maternal grand multiparity and intention to use modern contraceptives in Nigeria

“…Though few studies [ 21 ] have argued that grand multiparity may not be discouraged if women are provided with adequate perinatal care, the health risks of grand multiparity include but not limited to incidence of anaemia in pregnancy [ 22 ], type 2 Diabetes [ 23 ], severe mental disorders [ 24 ], perinatal death [ 25 ], and several prenatal risks [ 26 ]. Incidentally, grand multiparity is more prevalent in developing countries where health delivery systems are grossly inadequate to cope with rising demand for maternal and child health problems [ 27 – 30 ].…”

Heterozygous TYROBP deletion (PLOSLFIN) is not a strong risk factor for cognitive impairment

“…In addition, registry information up till December 31 of 2013 were checked for dementia hospitalizations and dementia deaths. This included data on diagnoses of any organic dementias, given by physicians in inpatient and outpatient (1998-2013) care (codes 290.00-290.10 from International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-8, 290, 2912A, 2928C, 2941A, 3310A and 3311A from ICD-9, and F00, F01, F03, F051 and G30 from ICD-10) and of Alzheimer's disease (codes 331.0 and 290.1 from ICD-9, and G30 and F00 from ICD-10) until December 31 of 2013 were derived from the Finnish Hospital Discharge and Causes of Death Registers (Lahti et al, 2014).…”