P03-109 - Postpartum Psycosis

Abstract

Ever since Hippocrates that it is acknowledged that post-partum represents a period of vulnerability for a number of psychiatric conditions in women, including postpartum psychosis.

In this poster, following a discussion of a clinical case of postpartum psychosis, we make a revision of the issue, with historical background, discussion of classification and nosologic status within international classification systems, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis.

The method used consisted in revision of literature, research of scientific articles on medline, consultation of gynecology clinical file and inpatient obstetrics and psychiatry clinical files.

From our research, we emphasize that postpartum psychosis is accountable for a small fraction of psychiatric morbidity in post-partum, occurring more frequently in primiparas, and women with similar psychiatric antecedents. Even thought there may be different clinical presentations, affective symptoms, state of conscience fluctuations and mood congruent delusions are typical. Several studies suggest that most cases are associated to bipolar disease.

Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergence. Fast identification and evaluation are crucial to implement multidisciplinary obstetrics and psychiatric care, involving family and providing adequate social support.