background   The current literature points to an increased risk of schizophrenia after diabetes mellitus and/or obesity in pregnancy.
aim By studying the literature, to obtain more insight into a possible link between diabetes mellitus and obesity in pregnancy and the development of schizophrenia.
method With help of PubMed, and on the basis of the search terms 'schizophrenia' or 'psychotic disorders', 'gestational diabetes', 'obesity', 'pregnancy', 'offspring of congenital abnormalities', we located articles published between 1985 and the present day.
results Diabetes mellitus and obesity during pregnancy are associated with developmental disorders and an increased risk of schizophrenia. Diabetes mellitus is more prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and probably also in members of their families. Diabetes mellitus is more prevalent and schizophrenia develops more frequently among a specific group of persons residing in the Netherlands, namely among immigrants.
conclusion From an aetiological and preventive point of view it is important that more research is done, particularly among immigrants, into the apparent link between diabetes mellitus and/or obesity and the subsequent development of schizophrenia.

  developmental disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, pregnancy, schizo-

phrenia