title: Borderline Personality Disorder in the perinatal period: early infant and maternal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines pregnancy and early infant outcomes of pregnant women with a clinical diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder presenting for obstetric services to a major metropolitan maternity hospital in Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case review of pregnancy and early infant outcomes on 42 women who had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder via psychiatric assessment using DSM-IV-R criteria was undertaken. Outcomes were compared with a control group of 14,313 consisting of women and infants of non-affected women from the same hospital over the same period of time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women presenting for obstetric services with a clinical diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder experienced considerable psychosocial impairment. They anticipated birth as traumatic and frequently requested early delivery. High comorbidity with substance abuse was found and high rates of referral to child protective services. Mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder were significantly more likely to have negative birth outcomes such as lowered Apgar scores, prematurity and special care nursery referral when compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings offer preliminary evidence to be considered by clinicians in developing treatments and services for the perinatal care of women with Borderline Personality Disorder and their infants. Further research is required in order to develop evidence informed clinical guidelines for the management of women with Borderline Personality Disorder and their infants.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Department of Perinatal Mental Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC, Australia gblankley@mercy.com.au.
authors.forename: Gaynor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blankley
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Head of Unit, Department of Perinatal Mental Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galbally
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Department of Perinatal Mental Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Martien
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Snellen
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Department of Perinatal Mental Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: Research Academic, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder; birth outcomes; infant development; postpartum; pregnancy