Link between pregnancy complications and minor physical anomalies in monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to explore the relevancy of early pregnancy complications for the development of minor physical anomalies in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia. METHOD: Pregnancy complications and minor physical anomalies were independently assessed in 22 discordant, 10 concordant, and six normal comparison monozygotic twin pairs. RESULTS: Complications occurring during early pregnancy were associated with a higher frequency of minor physical anomalies in the total group and in the discordant twin pairs particularly. While no significant differences in anomaly rates were observed among the discordant, concordant, and normal comparison groups, the discordant ill twins showed a trend toward having more anomalies than their well co-twins. CONCLUSIONS: Complications occurring early in pregnancy are relevant for the development of minor physical anomalies and may be of particular importance for the development of these anomalies in twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia.