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Puerperal psychosis mimicking eclampsia
A C Ranzini1, A S Vinekar, C Houlihan
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick 08903-0591, USA.
Puerperal psychosis occurs after delivery in 1-2/1,000 births. It usually presents after delivery, however, it also may present in the antepartum period. We report the third case which presented prior to delivery without a preceding history of maternal puerperal psychosis and the first which presented with catatonia and symptoms of eclampsia. Although uncommon, the first presentation of psychosis during pregnancy should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in pregnant patients presenting with altered mental status after organic causes are excluded.
Puerperal psychosis occurs after delivery in 1-2/1,000 births. It usually presents after delivery, however, it also may present in the antepartum period. We report the third case which presented prior to delivery without a preceding history of maternal puerperal psychosis and the first which presented with catatonia and symptoms of eclampsia. Although uncommon, the first presentation of psychosis during pregnancy should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in pregnant patients presenting with altered mental status after organic causes are excluded.