Systematic review and meta-analysis: Season of birth and schizophrenia risk

Coury, Samantha M; Lombroso, Adam; Avila-Quintero, Victor J; Taylor, Jerome; Flores, José M.; Szejko, Natalia; Bloch, Michael H.

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.016

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…In conclusion, the present MRI study expanded our previous findings on the Sz spectrum in demonstrating that seasonal birth significantly contributed to brain morphological changes in the patient group, particularly increased gyrification in diverse cortical regions (13). The present results appear to provide support for the relationship between winter-born and the increased risk of the Sz spectrum (2,3), where the disruption of neural development may occur due to environmental factors associated with seasonality in utero. Further studies on a larger transdiagnostic sample in combination with more detailed clinical data (e.g., obstetric complications and maternal viral infection) and immune biomarkers are needed to clarify the relationship between pre-/perinatal environmental factors and the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…This did not affect our main finding that birth seasons had a significant effect on brain morphology in the Sz spectrum, but their general role in normal brain development should be further tested in a larger and well-balanced healthy cohort. Moreover, we divided participants into the summer- and winter-born groups, as described in previous studies ( 7 , 8 , 20 ); however, several epidemiological studies examined the relationship between birth seasons and the risk of Sz using a more detailed classification based on the four seasons or birth months ( 2 ). However, the present study was considered underpowered to examine brain changes using such a detailed classification due to the small number of participants and the comprehensive nature of the brain assessment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence from epidemiological studies in Northern Hemisphere countries has consistently suggested that a relationship exists between birth seasons and the risk of mental disorders (1), with the risk of developing schizophrenia (Sz) and related disorders being approximately 5-10% higher for winter/spring births (2,3). Vitamin D deficiency or gestational exposure to infection and the associated inflammatory response during winter may increase susceptibility to Sz by affecting prenatal neurodevelopment, such as synapse formation and interneuron migration (4)(5)(6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increased brain gyrification and cortical thinning in winter-born patients with schizophrenia spectrum

Torigoe,

Takahashi,

Takayanagi

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionThe findings of epidemiological studies suggest that a relationship exists between the risk of schizophrenia and winter births in the Northern Hemisphere, which may affect the process of fetal neurodevelopment. However, it remains unclear whether birth seasons are associated with the brain morphological characteristics of patients within the schizophrenia spectrum.MethodsThe present magnetic resonance imaging study using FreeSurfer software examined the effects of birth seasons (i.e., summer-born vs. winter-born) on the comprehensive brain surface characteristics of 101 patients with schizophrenia (48 summer- and 53 winter-born), 46 with schizotypal disorder (20 summer- and 26 winter-born), and 76 healthy control subjects (28 summer- and 48 winter-born).ResultsIn comparisons with summer-born patients, winter-born patients, particularly those with schizophrenia, showed significantly increased gyrification mainly in the left lateral occipital and inferior temporal regions and right fronto-parietal region as well as cortical thinning in the right superior frontal region. Birth seasons did not significantly affect the local gyrification index or cortical thickness in healthy controls.DiscussionThe present whole-brain surface-based analysis demonstrated that brain morphological characteristics reported in the schizophrenia spectrum were more pronounced in winter-born patients than in summer-born patients, suggesting the contribution of early neurodevelopmental factors associated with birth seasons to the pathophysiology of the schizophrenia spectrum.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increased brain gyrification and cortical thinning in winter-born patients with schizophrenia spectrum

Torigoe,

Takahashi,

Takayanagi

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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“…The log odds were almost the same as those used in the study by Padmanabhan, Shah, Tandon, and Keshavan [ 16 ]. For the winter season of birth, the log odds from an updated meta-analysis were used [ 36 ]. Handedness was not included in the study by [ 16 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The network stability was explored by computing the correlation stability coefficient (CS-C), which should exceed 0.25. Winter season of birth Respondents were requested to report their month of birth, and then, based on the meteorological seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, individuals born between December and February were assigned to the winter season, as reported in the recent meta-analysis by Coury, Lombroso, Avila-Quintero, Taylor, Flores, Szejko, and Bloch [36].…”

Section: Statisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Associations of Exposome Score with Various Domains of Psychopathology: A Network Analysis in a Non-Clinical Sample

Rejek,

Misiak

2024

Brain Sciences

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Background: The intricate correlation between environmental exposures and mental health outcomes is increasingly acknowledged in psychiatric research. This study investigated the relationship between cumulative environmental risk factors, as represented by the exposome score (ES), and various domains of psychopathology within a non-clinical sample using a network analysis. Methods: We recruited 1100 participants (aged 18–35 years, 51.4% females) via a computer-assisted web interview, assessing psychopathological symptoms using standardized questionnaires. Environmental exposures, including season of birth, obstetric complications, advanced paternal age, childhood trauma, cannabis use, and urban upbringing, were self-reported to calculate the ES. Results: A network analysis revealed significant associations of the ES with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) (weight = 0.113), manic (weight = 0.072), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms (weight = 0.062). These connections did not differ significantly with respect to their weights. Depressive symptoms had the highest centrality and predictability. The mean predictability across all nodes included in the network was 0.344. Conclusions: These findings underscore the transdiagnostic nature of environmental exposures, aligning with previous research indicating broad associations between the ES and various facets of psychopathology. Our results suggest that the ES may not specifically correlate with PLEs but may indicate the risk of a broader psychopathology.

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Outcomes of critically ill children with pre‐existing mental health conditions

Krawiec,

Cash,

Ceneviva

et al. 2024

Pediatric Investigation

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ImportanceCritically ill children with pre‐existing mental health conditions may have an increased risk of poor health outcomes.ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate if pre‐existing mental health conditions in critically ill pediatric patients would be associated with worse clinical outcomes, compared to children with no documented mental health conditions.MethodsThis retrospective observational cohort study utilized the TriNetX electronic health record database of critically ill subjects aged 12–18 years. Data were analyzed for demographics, pre‐existing conditions, diagnostic, medication, procedural codes, and mortality.ResultsFrom a dataset of 102 027 critically ill children, we analyzed 1999 subjects (284 [14.2%] with a pre‐existing mental health condition and 1715 [85.8%] with no pre‐existing mental health condition). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that death within one year was associated with the presence of pre‐existing mental health conditions (odds ratio 8.97 [3.48–23.15], P < 0.001), even after controlling for the presence of a complex chronic condition.InterpretationThe present study demonstrates that the presence of pre‐existing mental health conditions was associated with higher odds of death within 1 year after receiving critical care. However, the confidence interval was wide and hence, the findings are inconclusive. Future studies with a larger sample size may be necessary to evaluate the true long‐term impact of children with pre‐existing mental health conditions who require critical care services.

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Systematic review and meta-analysis: Season of birth and schizophrenia risk

Cited by 16 publications

References 59 publications

Increased brain gyrification and cortical thinning in winter-born patients with schizophrenia spectrum

Increased brain gyrification and cortical thinning in winter-born patients with schizophrenia spectrum

The Associations of Exposome Score with Various Domains of Psychopathology: A Network Analysis in a Non-Clinical Sample

Outcomes of critically ill children with pre‐existing mental health conditions

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