Abstract
BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that maternal grand multiparity may predict an increased risk of mental disorders in young adult offspring, but whether such effects persist throughout adulthood remains unknown. The current study examined if maternal grand multiparity predicts the risks of severe mental disorders, suicides, suicide attempts and dementias throughout adult life.MethodsOur study sample comprised 13243 Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 1934–1944 participants (6905 men and 6338 women). According to hospital birth records, 341 offspring were born to grand multiparous mothers. From Finnish national hospital discharge and causes of death registers, we identified 1682 participants diagnosed with mental disorders during 1969–2010.ResultsMaternal grand multiparity predicted significantly increased risks of mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 1.64, p = 0.03), non-psychotic mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.02, p = 0.002), and suicide attempts (Hazard Ratio = 3.94, p = 0.01) in adult offspring. Furthermore, women born to grand multiparous mothers had significantly increased risks of any severe mental disorder (Hazard Ratio = 1.79, p = 0.01), non-psychotic substance use disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.77, p = 0.02) schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.40, p = 0.02), mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.40, p = 0.002), non-psychotic mood disorders (Hazard Ratio = 2.91, p<0.001), and suicide attempts (Hazard Ratio = 5.05, p = 0.01) in adulthood. The effects of maternal grand multiparity on offspring psychopathology risk were independent of maternal age and body mass index at childbirth, and of year of birth, sex, childhood socioeconomic position, and birth weight of the offspring. In contrast, no significant effects were found among men.ConclusionsWomen born to grand multiparous mothers are at an increased risk of severe mental disorders and suicide attempts across adulthood. Our findings may inform the development of preventive interventions for mental disorders.
Highlights
A few previous studies have shown that maternal grand multiparity may predict an increased risk of psychopathology in adult offspring [1,2,3]
The current study examined if maternal grand multiparity predicts the risks of severe mental disorders, suicides, suicide attempts and dementias throughout adult life
We found that in the models adjusted for the year of birth, sex, birth weight, maternal body mass index at childbirth (BMI), and maternal and paternal occupational statuses in childhood, maternal grand multiparity predicted a significantly increased, over 1.8 -fold risk of non-psychotic mood disorders (Table 4) and an over 3.3-fold risk of suicide attempts in adult offspring (Table 4; Fig. 2)
Summary
A few previous studies have shown that maternal grand multiparity (birth from sixth or later pregnancy lasting more than 20 weeks) may predict an increased risk of psychopathology in adult offspring [1,2,3] These studies have shown that among offspring born to grand multiparous mothers increased risks are evident for alcoholism [2], mood disorders [2], schizophrenia [3], and other psychotic disorders [2], and suicides [1]. The existing studies on maternal grand multiparity and mental disorders have mostly followed up the offspring only until young adulthood [1,2,3] To our knowledge, it remains unknown if the risks associated with maternal grand multiparity for mental disorders in the offspring persist after the transition into adulthood and to a more independent role in the society. The effects of maternal grand multiparity on offspring psychopathology risk were independent of maternal age and body mass index at childbirth, and of PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0114679 December 10, 2014
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