Incidence of schizophrenia and influence of prenatal and infant exposure to viral infectious diseases

Objective There is conflicting evidence in recent literature about whether the incidence of schizophrenia increasing or decreasing. A role for prenatal and early childhood viral infections aetiology has also been debated. We examined catatonic subtype over a 30-year period Finland. investigated rate was linked to changes exposure infection (polio measles) during infant period. Methods Persons with were identified from Hospital Discharge Register. Cumulative 1956 1989 4 age groups calculated follow-up 1972 2014. Annual rates polio measles derived nationwide registers. The association between log-transformed schizophrenia, specifically analysed using linear models. Results among individuals born 1956–1989 decreased by 23% (from 13 10 cases per 1000 live births). decline most prominent those onset diagnosed 16–25 years (−41%). declined 90% three decades, there significant annual birth year schizophrenia. Conclusions results indicate that Finland 1989, may be partially attributable eradication polio.