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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Perinatal depression: treatment options and dilemmas
1Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Women's Behavioral Health Program, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA. Teri_Pearlstein@brown.edu
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|July 2, 2008
Summary
Treating perinatal depression involves weighing risks of untreated illness against potential harm from psychotropic medications to mother and child. More research is needed for informed treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Perinatal depression presents unique safety concerns for fetus and infant.
- Both untreated maternal depression and psychotropic medications may pose risks.
- Longitudinal data on child development after prenatal/postnatal medication exposure is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known risks of untreated perinatal depression.
- To review the known risks of psychotropic medication exposure.
- To identify knowledge gaps for informed treatment decisions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on perinatal depression treatments.
- Analysis of research on maternal mental health and child development.
- Synthesis of current evidence on medication safety.
Main Results:
- Untreated maternal stress, anxiety, and depression can adversely affect fetal and infant development.
- Some psychotropic medications may have short-term safety profiles, but long-term effects are often unknown.
- There is a significant lack of systematic, longitudinal studies on developmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Women with perinatal depression face complex treatment dilemmas.
- Further research is crucial to understand long-term impacts of medication exposure.
- Informed decision-making requires comprehensive data on risks and benefits.
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