Obstetric complications and autoantibodies in schizophrenia.

Our hypothesis stated that patients with schizophrenia who had obstetric complications (OC) were more likely to have autoimmune abnormalities than those without OC. OC were rated using a checklist. Anti-brain autoantibodies were measured in serum using an enzyme immunoassay. Autoantibodies to non-CNS tissues were detected using serological procedures. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to anti-brain antibodies, but patients with OC (n = 24) had a significantly higher prevalence of autoantibodies to non-CNS tissues than patients without OC (n = 25). Both groups were receiving neuroleptic drugs. OC may contribute to autoimmune abnormalities among patients with schizophrenia.