Parental hospital-treated somatic illnesses during offspring's childhood associated with later offspring use of psychotropic medication during childhood to young adult — The 1987 Finnish Birth Cohort study

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically examine whether parental hospital-treated somatic illnesses, diagnosed during an offspring's childhood (1987–1995), are associated with later use of psychotropic medication (1996–2012) by the offspring. If so, which parental somatic illnesses, in particular, increase the likelihood for later use of psychotropic medication among the offspring. The 1987 Finnish Birth Cohort study yields longitudinal nationwide follow-up data that include a complete census of children born in a single year. A total 58,551 offspring are included in this study and, of these 57,752 had a known father. Offspring who had used psychotropic medication between the ages of 9 and 24 years, more often had parents who had experienced a greater number of somatic illnesses when their child was aged under 9, compared to offspring without any use of psychotropic medication. The specific parental somatic illnesses early in life, for example disorders of female tract (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.01–1.23), pregnancy with abortive outcome (1.18, 1.09–1.28), paternal acute infections (1.20, 1.05–1.38), and paternal symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions (1.21, 1.03–1.42), were found to be associated with psychotropic medication treatment using parental-related determinants; death, education, receipt of social assistance and psychiatric inpatient care as covariates. This suggests that these specific parental somatic illnesses can affect psychological well-being of the offspring. Preventive actions and support for the child, should be provided in situations where a parent with a somatic illness has limited ability to care for and rear their child.