J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  1997 Jul;36(4):750-755.

Perinatal Risk factors in the Pathogenesis of Tourette Syndrome: preliminary findings of a Case-Control Study

• Kim YS
• Peterson B

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Tourettes Syndrome(75) is a childhood onset movement disorder that Is characterized by a chronic waxing and waning severity of motor and phonic tics. Increased rates of pre- and perinatal complications in 75 subjects have been reported. This case-control study examined three hypotheses. Compared to normal controls,75 subjects will have a higher rate of exposure to 1) hypoxic perinatal risk factors such as prolonged labor(>or=20 hours) in duration, and 2) severe maternal nausea and vomiting during the first trimester. Furthermore, 3) the presence of these perinatal risk factors will predict a more severe tic severity outcome in 75 subjects. METHOD: Twenty four 75 subjects who were loom in 8 consecutive months of 1975 and retired to the Yale Child Study Center fir the evaluation of 75, and 29 matched community controls were recruited. Subjects were interviewed in-person with Modified Schedule for Risk and Protective Factors in Early Development. Logistic regression and correlation analyses were performed.
RESULTS
The rates of prolonged labor and severe nausea and vomiting during first trimester were significantly elevated in 75 subjects. Prolonged labor and forceps delivery were positively associated with worst ever tic severity.
CONCLUSION
These findings support the importance of the role of perinatal risk factors including prolonged labor, severe hyperemesis during the first trimester, and forceps delivery in the pathogenesis of TS and expression of tic severity.

Keyword

Tourette's syndrome(TS); Perinatal risk factors; Pathogenesis

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Case-Control Studies*
Child
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Movement Disorders
Nausea
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Risk Factors*
Surgical Instruments
Tics
Tourette Syndrome*
Vomiting