Behavioral and Motor Problems in Childhood. Children who later develop schizophrenia often suffer from the following certain problems, including excessive shyness or minor early physical and motor-control problems. Such problems are so common, however, that their presence without any other risk factors is no cause for concern.
Father’s Age. According to some studies, the older a father is when a child is born, the greater the risk is for schizophrenia in his offspring, perhaps because of a greater chance of genetic mutations in the sperm that can be passed on. In one study, children of fathers who were 50 years old or more faced a three-fold risk for schizophrenia compared to children of fathers who were 25 or younger.
Epilepsy. A family history of epilepsy increases the chance for developing schizophrenia or similar psychosis. Scientists think that epilepsy and schizophrenia may share similar genetic or environmental factors.
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