[Psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and lactation].
BACKGROUND
Psychiatric disorders occur both during pregnancy and postpartum. The consequences of inadequate treatment in these periods can be dramatic, not only for the mother but also for the infant. The reference books and textbooks used in Norway provide very scanty information on the treatment of psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. The use of drugs is a particularly difficult issue, as detrimental effects may arise in the fetus and in the suckling infant.


METHODS
This article is based upon a review of relevant literature supplemented by our own experience in the field.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the effect is better documented for drug treatment than for other therapeutic modalities. Some drugs can be used without particular problems during pregnancy and lactation while others have potentially detrimental effects. Often the risk of not giving the mother adequate treatment must be weighed against the potential risks of drug exposure to the infant. Pregnancy-related psychiatric illness would, when recognized, in most cases have a favourable prognosis provided that adequate treatment is given.
Berle
Jan Øystein
JØ
Regionsenter for barne- og ungdomspsykiatri, Helseregion Vest, Postboks 7800, 5020 Bergen. jan.berle@psyk.uib.no
Spigset
Olav
O
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs