Lithium prophylaxis during pregnancy and the postpartum period in women with lithium-responsive bipolar I disorder

Gianluca Rosso1, Umberto Albert2, Gabriele Di Salvo1

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, S Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithium prophylaxis during the peripartum period in women with lithium-responsive bipolar I disorder. Seventeen lithium-treated patients were selected and underwent preconception counseling that included both a psychiatric and an obstetric evaluation. Treatment was continued with flexible-doses of lithium combined with supportive psychotherapy throughout the pregnancy and the postpartum period. The results support the prophylaxis efficacy of lithium in lithium-responder bipolar women who have a high risk of severe peripartum recurrences.

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