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Polydactyly and psychosis

Five cases of co-occurrence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Alastair G. Cardno*
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Kieran C. Murphy
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Lisa A. Jones
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Jonathon Gray
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Peter McGuffin
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Michael J. Owen
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Andrew M. Cobb
Affiliation:
Tower Hamlets Healthcare NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, London
*
Dr A. Cardno. Department of Psychological Medicine. University of Wales College of Medicine. Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN. Tel: 01222 743058: Fax: 01222 747839

Abstract

Background

Abnormalities presumed to occur during foetal life have been associated with schizophrenia. Polydactyly is a developmental abnormality but no previous association has been reported between Polydactyly and functional psychotic illness.

Method

Individuals with both Polydactyly and a functional psychosis were ascertained during a study of familial schizophrenia.

Results

Five such individuals were ascertained in the course of assessing 234 individuals with familial psychosis, giving a rate of Polydactyly in the sample of around 10 times the general population rate.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence that Polydactyly is over-represented in individuals with familial schizophrenia and related psychotic illnesses.

Type
Preliminary Report
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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References

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