Effect of Rhesus D incompatibility on schizophrenia depends on offspring sex.

Abstract

Rhesus D incompatibility increases risk for schizophrenia, with some evidence that risk is limited to male offspring. The purpose of this study is to determine whether risk for schizophrenia due to Rhesus D incompatibility differs by offspring sex using a nuclear family-based candidate gene approach and a meta-analysis approach. The genetic study is based on a sample of 277 nuclear families with RHD genotype data on at least one parent and at least one child diagnosed with schizophrenia or related disorder. Meta-analysis inclusion criteria were (1) well-defined sample of schizophrenia patients with majority born before 1970, (2) Rhesus D incompatibility phenotype or genotype data available on mother and offspring, and by offspring sex. Two of ten studies, plus the current genetic study sample, fulfilled these criteria, for a total of 358 affected males and 226 affected females. The genetic study found that schizophrenia risk for incompatible males was significantly greater than for compatible offspring (p=0.03), while risk for incompatible and compatible females was not significantly different (p=.32). Relative risks for incompatible males and females were not significantly different from each other. Meta-analysis using a larger number of affected males and females supports their difference. Taken together, these results provide further support that risk of schizophrenia due to Rhesus D incompatibility is limited to incompatible males, although a weak female incompatibility effect cannot be excluded. Sex differences during fetal neurodevelopment should be investigated to fully elucidate the etiology of schizophrenia.

• Authors: Christina G S Palmer, Erin Mallery, Joni A Turunen, Hsin-Ju Hsieh, Leena Peltonen, Jouko Lonnqvist, J Arthur Woodward, Janet S Sinsheimer
• Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res) Vol. 104 Issue 1-3 Pg. 135-45 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 1573-2509 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 18692992 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
• Rho(D) antigen

Topics

• Female
• Fetal Diseases (genetics)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genetic Testing
• Genotype
• Humans
• Male
• Mothers
• Phenotype
• Pregnancy
• Rh-Hr Blood-Group System (genetics)
• Schizophrenia
• Siblings