title: Puerperal affective psychosis: is there a case for lithium prophylaxis?
abstract: It is well known that women with a history of manic-depressive or puerperal affective psychosis are at particularly high risk of relapse in the puerperium. This paper describes the use of lithium given during or after pregnancy to women with a history of bipolar illness or puerperal affective psychosis. The rate of puerperal relapse in these subjects was compared with that in a similar group of women not on lithium. The significantly better outcome of the treatment group highlights the need for a prospective controlled trial looking at the effectiveness of lithium in minimising puerperal bipolar relapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium