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Abstract
Background: Children of parents with mental illness face a number of adversities, potentially contributing to poor health. Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the association between maternal severe mental illness and children’s hospital admissions. Method: Record linkage cohort study of 467,945 children born in Western Australia between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2001. Follow-up was from age 28 days until fifth birthday. Linked registers captured information on potential confounders. Rate ratios and adjusted rate ratios measured relative change in the numbers of admissions and total days of stay, while rate differences measured absolute change in outcomes. Cause-specific increases were calculated for ICD-9 chapters and for ‘potentially preventable’ conditions. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, children of mothers with severe mental illness had a 46% relative increased rate in hospital admissions (95% confidence interval = [38%, 54%]) and an absolute increase in 0.69 extra days in hospital per child, per year (95% confidence interval = [0.67, 0.70]). The relative increase in admissions was greatest in the child’s first year of life (adjusted rate ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval = [1.64, 1.88]; rate difference = 0.32, 95% confidence interval = [0.30, 0.34]). Rates of admissions were increased for a range of causes, particularly injuries, infections and respiratory disease, and for conditions classified as ‘potentially preventable’. Conclusion: Children of mothers with severe mental illness have a substantial excess in hospital use compared to children of well mothers. This vulnerable group should be targeted with interventions to avert preventable morbidity and premature mortality in later life.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 528-536 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 1 Jun 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2023 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Hospital inpatient admissions of children of mothers with severe mental illness: A Western Australian cohort study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Impact of social adversity on the developmental trajectory to mental illness: A study of a whole population cohort of children at familial high-risk for psychotic disorders
Morgan, V. (Investigator 01), Jablensky, A. (Investigator 02), McNeil, T. (Investigator 03) & Bjork, J. (Investigator 04)
NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council
1/01/15 → 31/12/20
Project: Research
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Life Course Trajectories & Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in an E-Cohort of High Risk Children of Mothers with Psychosis
Jablensky, A. (Investigator 01), Morgan, F. (Investigator 02), McNeil, T. (Investigator 03), Abel, K. (Investigator 04) & Morgan, V. (Investigator 05)
NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council
1/01/11 → 31/12/13
Project: Research