Children of parents with bipolar disorder: A metaanalysis of risk for mental disorders

Objective: To compare the prevalence rates of mental disorders among children of parents with bipolar disorder and of parents with no mental disorders. Method: Seventeen studies, meeting specific selection criteria, were included in the metaanalyses. Risks for mental disorders among children were estimated by aggregating raw data from the selected studies. Results: Results indicate that in comparison with children of parents with no mental disorders, children of parents with bipolar disorder are 2.7 times more likely to develop any mental disorder and 4.0 times more likely to develop an affective disorder. The metaanalyses indicate that during childhood and adolescence, the risks for any mental disorder and for affective disorders in children are consistently but moderately related to having a parent who suffers from bipolar disorder. Conclusions: Risk factors that could account for the psychopathology observed in children of bipolar parents are explored. (Can J Psychiatry 1997;42:623–631) Key Words: review, children at risk, bipolar disorder Familial studies have consistently documented higher ratesof major depression and of bipolar disorder among the relatives of individuals suffering from bipolar disorder tha