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Prophylactic Lithium in Puerperal Psychosis

The Experience of Three Centres

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. E. Stewart ,
J. L. Klompenhouwer ,
R. E. Kendell  and
A. M. Van Hulst
D. E. Stewart*
Affiliation:
University of Toronto, Chief of Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Services, St Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada
J. L. Klompenhouwer
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital Venray, PO Box 5, 5800 AA Venray, The Netherlands
R. E. Kendell
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
A. M. Van Hulst
Affiliation:
Academic Hospital Rotterdam – Dijkzigt, Department of Psychiatry, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
*
* Correspondence
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Abstract

At three centres, 21 women at high risk for puerperal psychosis were given prophylactic lithium carbonate late in the third trimester of pregnancy or immediately after delivery. Only two of the women had a recurrence of their psychotic illness while on prophylactic lithium. One woman given lithium during third trimester had an unexplained stillbirth. Although a larger sample in a carefully controlled study is still required, there now seems to be grounds for the use of prophylactic lithium immediately after delivery in women not breastfeeding who have previously suffered from either puerperal psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 3 , March 1991 , pp. 393 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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