Related Experiment Videos
Puerperal affective psychosis: is there a case for lithium prophylaxis?
1Department of Psychiatry, University of NSW, Australia.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Women with bipolar illness face high relapse risks postpartum. Lithium use during or after pregnancy significantly reduced these puerperal relapses compared to no lithium treatment, suggesting its potential effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Psychiatry
- Reproductive Psychiatry
- Mood Disorders
Background:
- Women with bipolar illness or a history of puerperal psychosis are at high risk for postpartum relapse.
- The puerperium presents a critical period for mood episode recurrence in susceptible women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of lithium in preventing postpartum bipolar relapse.
- To compare puerperal relapse rates in women with bipolar illness treated with lithium versus those not on lithium.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of women with bipolar illness or puerperal affective psychosis.
- Comparison of puerperal relapse rates between a group receiving lithium during or after pregnancy and a control group not on lithium.
Main Results:
- The group of women treated with lithium demonstrated a significantly lower rate of puerperal relapse.
- Lithium treatment was associated with a better outcome in preventing postpartum mood episodes.
Conclusions:
- Lithium appears to be effective in minimizing puerperal bipolar relapse.
- A prospective, controlled trial is warranted to confirm the effectiveness of lithium for preventing postpartum bipolar episodes.