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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
04:51
Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
Anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy in early pregnancy.
András Lovas1, Péter Z Almos, Zoltán Peto
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
The Journal of ECT
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) safely treated severe bipolar disorder during early pregnancy when medications failed. This intervention led to full remission and a healthy birth, highlighting ECT as a viable option for pregnant individuals.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Treating major psychiatric disorders during pregnancy poses significant challenges due to medication risks.
- Medication-resistant psychiatric deterioration can necessitate urgent and effective interventions.
Observation:
- A case study of a 31-year-old pregnant woman with bipolar disorder experiencing severe, therapy-resistant manic agitation.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was administered between the 7th and 22nd gestational weeks.
Findings:
- ECT achieved and maintained full symptomatic remission of manic agitation.
- The pregnancy progressed to full term, resulting in the birth of a healthy child.
- Cesarean delivery was performed due to preeclampsia.
Implications:
- Early-term ECT can be a safe and effective treatment for severe psychiatric conditions in pregnancy.
- Close interdisciplinary medical cooperation is crucial for managing complex obstetric and psychiatric cases.
- Thorough risk assessment and preventive measures are essential when considering ECT during pregnancy.
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