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Survival of Nieces and Nephews of Schizophrenic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Carol Buck
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
Helen Simpson
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
James M. Wanklin
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Summary

Evidence was found against the hypothesis that heterozygous carriers of a schizophrenic gene have a reproductive advantage through enhanced fertility. In consequence an investigation was made of the possibility that an advantage is gained through diminished early mortality among the offspring of carriers. The results were equivocal. While an observed deficit of infant deaths was attributable to under-reporting, the possibility of a true advantage could not be ruled out, because of the statistical unreliability of the findings in a sample of the size available. A plea is made for a collaborative effort to settle the issue.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1977 

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References

Buck, Carol, Hobbs, G. E., Simpson, H. & Wanklin, J. M. (1975) Fertility of the sibs of schizophrenic patients. British Journal of Psychiatry, 127, 235–9.Google Scholar
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Gupta, A. D. (1957) Determination of fertility level and trend in defective registration areas. Bulletin del'Institut International de Statistique, 36, 127–36.Google Scholar
Kay, D. W. K. & Lindelius, R. (1970) A study of schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Suppl 216.Google Scholar
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