[Clinical study of pregnant women with psychotic disorders during last 14 years in Osaka Medical College]

Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi. 1993 Apr;45(4):347-54.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The clinical features and outcomes of 51 pregnancies (47 patients) complicated by psychotic disorders were studied. These patients were diagnosed as having the following psychotic disorders: 7 schizophrenias, 8 atypical psychoses, 6 mood disorders, 25 epilepsies, 4 anxiety disorders, and 1 personality disorder. The mean delivery age of women suffering from schizophrenia, atypical psychosis, and anxiety disorder was over 30 with deliveries 7-10 years after the onset of their psychoses. The predominant obstetrical complications for schizophrenias, atypical psychoses, and mood disorders were gestational toxicosis, threatened premature birth, and premature birth, respectively. Six out of eight (75.0%) patients with atypical psychosis, 4 out of 6 (66.7%) patients with mood disorder, and 2 of 4 patients with anxiety disorder became worse during pregnancy and/or postpartum. The rate of deterioration of the patients with schizophrenia was 14.3% (1/7) during pregnancy. An increasing rate of epileptic attack during pregnancy and/or postpartum were observed in 40.0% (10/25) of patients. Nine cases underwent cesarean section not due to their mental disorders but for obstetrical reasons. The present study suggests that the cooperation between obstetrician and psychiatrist, and the existence of a key person who knows the patient very well is required for a desirable outcome of the treatment.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Labor, Obstetric
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Psychotic Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Puerperal Disorders / epidemiology*