Pregnancy Tips that are likely to lower the chances of your child getting schizophrenia

(Special Thanks to Dr. Pat McGorry and his team at the University of Melbourne for reviewing and providing input on this information. Dr. McGorry is one of the few researchers who is focused on Schizophrenia prevention)

Reducing the Chance of Schizophrenia in Your Future Children

Why Consider Schizophrenia Prevention? - read Would My Child Have Schizophrenia?
and listen to a recent radio talk show on the issue of pregnancy and mental illness - see Pregnancy and the Mind

• Pre-natal Schizophrenia Risk Factors (and Risk Reduction Approaches)
  
  • Maternal infections and Flu during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of Schizophrenia
  • Lead, Alcohol and other Toxic Exposures to Pregnant Women can Triple Risk of Schizophrenia for Child
  • Use of Painkillers (e.g. Aspirin) during Pregnancy linked to 500% higher risk of Schizophrenia
  • Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia for the children
  • Breast Feeding Your Baby may Reduce Risk for Schizophrenia
  • Excess Body Weight of Mother during pregnancy (above normal healthy pregnancy levels) is associated with a higher risk of child's development of schizophrenia in later life.
    
  • Pregnancy and baby delivery complications are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia
  • Maternal-fetal Rh blood incompatibility associated with 100% Increased Risk of Developing Schizophrenia for Offspring
  • Low Birth Weight Infants May Have Increased Risk for Schizophrenia
    
  • Season of Birth - Mother's Low Sunlight Exposure/Lack of Vitamin D is associated with higher risk of schizophrenia in child.
    
  • Older Age of Father increases risk of Schizophrenia.
    
  • X-ray Radiation During Pregnancy (from medical X-rays, Intercontinental Flights, etc.) may increase risk of schizophrenia for child
  • Having Genital Herpes (for a mother) during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for the child of developing schizophrenia
  • Pregnant women's exposure to Cats who have the Taxoplasmosis Gondii virus may increase risk of the children getting schizophrenia later in life
  • Celiac Disease (wheat allergy) May Slightly Increase Schizophrenia Risk for Certain Individuals - reducing early exposure to wheat may reduce a child's chances of developing allergic reaction
  • Choline Supplementation During Pregnancy May Improve Brain Function and Reduce Schizophrenia Risk
  
  
  • NOTE: (Printer-friendly PDF version of this pre-natal and pregnancy risk factor guide for schizophrenia. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file - download a free copy here