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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Maternal and neonatal outcomes after attempted suicide
Sonal G Gandhi1, William M Gilbert, Sherrie S McElvy
1University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|May 2, 2006
Summary
Attempting suicide during pregnancy significantly increases risks for maternal and infant complications, including premature birth and low birth weight. Substance abuse is a key indicator for women at risk.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal health
- Reproductive psychiatry
- Public health
Background:
- Suicide attempts during pregnancy represent a critical public health concern.
- Understanding associated maternal and neonatal risks is essential for targeted interventions.
- Identifying at-risk populations can improve clinical care and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of women who attempt suicide during pregnancy.
- To estimate the impact of suicide attempts on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
- To inform prevention strategies for high-risk pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a linked Vital Statistics-Patient Discharge database from California (1991-1999).
- Conducted a retrospective analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women admitted for attempted suicide.
- Compared outcomes to a control group of pregnant women without suicide attempts.
Main Results:
- Pregnancies complicated by suicide attempts (0.4 per 1,000) showed increased rates of premature labor, cesarean delivery, and blood transfusions.
- Neonatal outcomes included higher incidences of respiratory distress syndrome and low birth weight infants.
- A subgroup delivering during hospitalization for attempted suicide faced elevated risks of premature delivery, respiratory distress syndrome, and neonatal/infant death.
Conclusions:
- Suicide attempts during pregnancy are linked to substantially increased maternal and perinatal morbidity.
- Perinatal mortality rates can also be elevated in this population.
- Substance abuse is the strongest predictor for women attempting suicide; early identification and prevention are crucial.
