title: Clinical correlates of perinatal bipolar disorder in an interdisciplinary obstetrical hospital setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be destabilizing for women with bipolar disorder (BD), and treatment decisions particularly complex. Yet, to date, relatively little research has focused on perinatal BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following IRB approval, trained raters reviewed clinical records of 334 women who had sought treatment at a specialized partial hospitalization program serving perinatal women, including demographic, clinical, and treatment history information as noted in each patient׳s chart by treating providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Slightly over 10% of the perinatal sample was diagnosed with Bipolar I, Bipolar II, or Bipolar NOS Disorder. In addition, 26% of the sample, regardless of diagnostic status, reported recent, abnormally elevated mood persisting 4 or more days. Compared to women with other Axis I disorders, women with a BD diagnosis were more likely to report a substance abuse history, prior suicide attempts, and more extensive psychiatric histories, including greater use of pharmacotherapy. Pregnant women with BD were more likely to take psychotropic medications prenatally, and postpartum women with BD reported higher rates of birth complications and difficulty breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research is limited by use of retrospective data, and utilization of self-report and clinician diagnosis, rather than structured interviews.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even in the context of a partial hospital sample with high levels of symptoms and impairment, the clinical features of perinatal women with BD stand out as markedly more severe in comparison to those of women seeking care for other perinatal psychiatric conditions. Risk for suicide, substance abuse, and difficulties in the mother-child relationship are concerns.
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, USA; Butler Hospital, Psychosocial Research Program, USA; Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Medicine, USA. Electronic address: Cynthia_Battle@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, USA; Butler Hospital, Psychosocial Research Program, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, USA; Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Perinatal; Postpartum period; Pregnancy