Mental disorders in preadolescent children at familial high‐risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder – a four‐year follow‐up study

Background Children at familial high‐risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have an elevated prevalence of mental disorders but studies of children within a narrow age range are lacking and there are few conjoint studies of these two groups. Knowledge on their mental health is important for prevention and early intervention. Methods The authors examined mental disorders and global functioning in children at familial high‐risk of schizophrenia (FHR‐SZ) and bipolar disorder (FHR‐BP) compared with population‐based controls. In a longitudinal cohort study, 450 children (FHR‐SZ, n = 171; FHR‐BP, n = 104; controls, n = 175), were assessed for Axis I disorders at baseline and four‐year follow‐up (mean age 11.9, SD 0.2) with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School‐Age Children and for global functioning with Children’s Global Assessment Scale. Results Cumulative incidence of Any Axis I disorder was elevated by age 11 in children at FHR‐SZ (54.4%, OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9–4.7, p