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Early motor developmental milestones and schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Filatova, S 
Koivumaa-Honkanen, H 
Hirvonen, N 
Freeman, A 
Ivandic, I 

Abstract

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia proposes that impaired brain development is a cause of the illness. Early motor developmental milestones, such as learning to walk, are predictors of later schizophrenia but studies have not been systematically reviewed. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between early motor developmental milestones and the risk of adult schizophrenia. In addition, we updated a systematic review on motor function and risk of schizophrenia. The PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched for original research articles published up to July 2015. Motor milestones were measured between ages 0 and 13years. Random effect meta-analysis calculated effect estimates (Hedges' g) for the association between individual motor milestones and schizophrenia risk. An electronic database and selected articles reference list search identified 5990 articles after removing duplicates. Sixty-nine full text articles were assessed for eligibility of which six were included in the review. Five studies provided sufficient data for meta-analyses. The following motor milestones were significantly associated with adult schizophrenia risk: walking unsupported (g=0.46; 95% CI 0.27-0.64; p<0.001), standing unsupported (g=0.28; 0.16-0.40; p<0.001) and sitting unsupported (g=0.18; 0.05-0.31; p=0.007). Results for the milestones 'holding head up' and 'grabbing object' were not statistically significant. Delayed walking, sitting and standing unsupported were associated with adult onset schizophrenia. The findings emphasise the importance of timely achievement of these motor milestones in childhood and can contribute to the identification of individuals at risk of psychosis.

Description

Keywords

childhood, delay, early development, motor milestones, psychosis

Journal Title

Schizophrenia Research

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0920-9964
1573-2509

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (201486/Z/16/Z)
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)
This work is supported by funding from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union Seventh Framework Programme's FP7/2007 – 2013 under REA grant agreement no. 316795 and the Academy of Finland (#303696).