Developmental Pathways and Clinical Outcomes of Early Childhood Psychotic Experiences in Preadolescent Children at Familial High Risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder: A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study - The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study, VIA 11

Maja Gregersen, Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen, Sinnika Birkehøj Rohd, Anne Søndergaard, Julie Marie Brandt, Ditte Ellersgaard, Carsten Hjorthøj, Jessica Ohland, Mette Falkenberg Krantz, Martin Wilms, Anna Krogh Andreassen, Lotte Veddum, Christina Bruun Knudsen, Aja Neergaard Greve, Vibeke Bliksted, Ole Mors, Lars Clemmensen, Merete Nordentoft, Nicoline Hemager, Anne Amalie Elgaard Thorup

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Psychotic experiences are common in children and adolescents and are associated with concurrent and subsequent psychopathology. Most findings originate from general population studies, whereas little is known of the clinical outcomes of psychotic experiences in children and adolescents at familial high risk of psychosis. We examined the prevalence of psychotic experiences in middle childhood and whether early childhood psychotic experiences and developmental pathways of psychotic experiences predicted mental disorders in middle childhood in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ), bipolar disorder (FHR-BP), and a population-based control group. Methods: In a longitudinal population-based cohort study children at FHR-SZ (N5170), FHR-BP (N5103), and the control group (N5174) were assessed for psychotic experiences and axis I disorders with face-to-face interviews in early and middle childhood (at 7 and 11 years of age). Results: Psychotic experiences were more prevalent in children at FHR-SZ (31.8%, odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.4) than in the control group (18.4%) in middle childhood. Early childhood psychotic experiences predicted mental disorders in middle childhood after adjusting for early childhood disorders and familial risk (odds ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.1). Having three or more psychotic experiences increased odds the most (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.7). Persistent psychotic experiences were associated with increased odds of middle childhood disorders (odds ratio 4.1, 95% CI 2.1–8.4). Psychotic experiences were nondifferentially associated with mental disorders across the three familial risk groups. Conclusions: Early childhood psychotic experiences predict mental disorders in middle childhood. Psychotic experiences index vulnerability for psychopathology nondifferentially in children at familial high risk and the control group. Psychotic experiences should be included in mental health screenings including children at familial high risk.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe American journal of psychiatry
Volume179
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)628-639
Number of pages12
ISSN0002-953X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022

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