OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to explore the relevancy of
early pregnancy complications for the development of minor physical
anomalies in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia.
METHOD: Pregnancy complications and minor physical anomalies were
independently assessed in 22 discordant, 10 concordant, and six normal
comparison monozygotic twin pairs. RESULTS: Complications occurring during
early pregnancy were associated with a higher frequency of minor physical
anomalies in the total group and in the discordant twin pairs particularly.
While no significant differences in anomaly rates were observed among the
discordant, concordant, and normal comparison groups, the discordant ill
twins showed a trend toward having more anomalies than their well co-twins.
CONCLUSIONS: Complications occurring early in pregnancy are relevant for
the development of minor physical anomalies and may be of particular
importance for the development of these anomalies in twin pairs discordant
for schizophrenia.Abstract Teaser