|
Abstract
|
AIM: Analyzing the impact of schizophrenic disorders on pregnancy outcomes. Secondary aim of this article is to briefly analyze the potential role of antipsychotic treatment on influencing pregnancy outcomes in expectant mothers with schizophrenia.
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Science.gov databases. Articles published in English (1980-January 2019). Search terms: schizophrenia, motherhood, pregnancy/foetal/neonatal outcomes, birth defects. The reference lists of retrieved articles was also consulted to find additional pertinent studies missed in the electronic search and/or published before 1980. Data were extracted from articles which provided primary data on the impact of maternal schizophrenia-spectrum disorders on obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. After excluding duplicates, 35 articles were identified. Systematic reviews were searched on the same databases to briefly assess the effects of antipsychotics on pregnancy outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Reviewed studies show several limitations. They have been published during a time range between early '70 ys and 2019. During this period, there were significant changes in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Moreover, such studies showed no homogeneity in the investigation of potential confounders. Most importantly, no research has differentiated the effects of maternal illness on pregnancy, foetal, and neonatal outcomes from those associated to antipsychotic treatments. Thus, it is not surprising that such studies show conflicting results. Despite such limitations, in managing pregnant women with schizophrenia clinicians have to take into consideration an integrated approach which includes: antipsychotic treatment; psychological treatment; optimal dietary approaches for prevention of excessive weight gain and gestational diabetes; meticulous gynaecologic and obstetric surveillance; social and occupational support. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Language: en |