Neonatal origins of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is not an illness which impinges much upon the daily practice of paediatricians or, indeed, child psychiatrists, as only a tiny proportion of diagnosed cases (< 5%) arise before the age of 16 years. 1 Schizophrenia is one of the few chronic diseases which arise principally during late adolescence and early adulthood, normally the healthiest period of life. There is increasing evidence, however, that neurodevelopmental factors, acting in utero and in early childhood, are important in determining the risk for later schizophrenia. 2 3