Consultation-liaison psychiatry in a maternity hospital.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to describe referral patterns of maternity inpatients to the consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) service at a large women's hospital in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
Clinicians recorded socio-demographic data, referring unit, consultee's reason for referral, psychiatric diagnosis made, and treatment provided for all maternity inpatients referred from 2004 to 2008.


RESULTS
Main reasons for referral were detection of depression, past psychiatric history, and concern regarding a woman's coping. Most common diagnoses were depression, substance use disorders and anxiety disorders. Many women referred for assessment while inpatients were initially seen in the antenatal period.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnant women referred to a CLP service present with a range of mental health problems, most often depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. Many of these problems are evident in and require intervention during the antenatal period as well as at the time of confinement. CLP services to maternity hospitals should be provided in the antenatal as well as the inpatient setting.
Judd
Fiona
F
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Fiona.judd@thewomens.org.au
Stafford
Lesley
L
Handrinos
Dennis
D
Laios
Lia
L
Breadon
Carolyn
C
Cornthwaite
Leesa
L
Gill
Ailish
A
Thomson-Salo
Frances
F
Mercuri
Kristine
K
Nguyen
Tram
T
Bryant
Christina
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*