Association between early risk factors and level of functioning at age seven in children at familial risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 12 - 23
• Main Authors: Bundgaard, Anette Faurskov, Hemager, Nicoline, Gantriis, Ditte Lou, Steffensen, Nanna Lawaetz, Burton, Birgitte Klee, Ellersgaard, Ditte, Christiani, Camilla Jerlang, Spang, Katrine S., Carlsen, Anders Helles, Bliksted, Vibeke, Plessen, Kerstin J., Jepsen, Jens Richardt Møllegaard, Nordentoft, Merete, Mors, Ole, Thorup, Anne A. E., Greve, Aja Neergaard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 30.03.2022
• Subjects: bipolar disorder; cumulative risk; familial high risk; risk factors; schizophrenia
• ISSN: 2245-8875; 2245-8875
• DOI: 10.2478/sjcapp-2022-0001

Abstract Background Facing multiple risk factors, relative to single risk factor exposure early in life can have great implications for negative child development. Objective We aim to examine whether the prevalence of early risk factors is higher among children with familial high risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder compared to controls. Further, to investigate the association between number of early risk factors and level of functioning at age seven, and whether this possible association is different in children with familial high risk compared to controls. Method The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7 is a population-based cohort study of children of parents diagnosed with schizophrenia (N = 202), bipolar disorder (N = 120) and controls (N = 200). We conducted a semi-structured anamnestic interview with the child’s primary caregiver to assess early risk factors from pregnancy to age four. We used the Children’s Global Assessment Scale to measure level of functioning at age seven. Results 13 out of 17 risk factors were more prevalent in children at familial high risk for schizophrenia and 7 out of 17 risk factors were more prevalent in children at familial high risk for bipolar disorder compared to controls. Level of functioning decreased 2.7 (95% CI, 2.2; 3.3)-points per risk factor, but the association was not significantly different across the three groups ( p = 0.09). Conclusions Our results showed that children at age seven with familial high risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder experience a greater number of early risk factors. A higher number of early risk factors were associated with lower level of functioning at age seven. However, the association is not different for children with familial high risk or controls.