title: Mental health: outcomes of 10 babies of mothers with a history of serious mental illness.
abstract: Women with serious mental illness are frequently on antipsychotic medications to maintain their mental health. During pregnancy there is much debate as to whether to continue or cease these medications. The possibility of adverse effects is of concern to clinicians and the women. This study used a case study methodology to identify the outcomes for 10 babies of women with a history of serious mental illness. The results provide further evidence in regard to women and the use of antipsychotic medications throughout pregnancy and during the first year after birth. Separation of mother and baby occurred in five of the 10 babies. This study identifies the neonatal complications for these vulnerable babies as not outside the norm for births in Australia. The high rate of mother-baby separation is of great concern and needs further longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: management issues; maternal mental health; psychotropic medications