title: Consultation-liaison psychiatry in a maternity hospital.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Fiona.judd@thewomens.org.au
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Judd
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Handrinos
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laios
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Breadon
authors.forename: Leesa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cornthwaite
authors.forename: Ailish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thomson-Salo
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mercuri
authors.forename: Tram
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bryant
mesh_terms: 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*