Managing fertile women under lithium treatment: the challenge of a Teratology Information Service

Minerva ginecologica
Caterina NeriMarco De Santis

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to review the literature regarding the management of fertile patients under lithium treatment for bipolar disorder and to report the experience of our Teratology Information Service over the past thirteen years in managing women treated with lithium during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding. This research focuses on a selective review of the literature and a retrospective survey has been carried out on fertile women under lithium treatment who called our service at A. Gemelli University Hospital in Rome from May 2002 to December 2015. A total of 140 women under lithium treatment called our TIS. A complete follow-up has been performed on 34 patients: 29 called during pregnancy and 5 called during preconception. None of the patients called during breastfeeding, while half of the patients were taking concomitant drugs during pregnancy. One major cardiac malformation (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) has been reported. No minor malformations have been detected. Twenty-one patients delivered a living child, with one premature neonate. Two patients underwent voluntary interruption of pregnancy and six patients had early spontaneous abortion. In one patient, intrauterine growth retardation...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly, known as an enlarged heart, is a multifactorial disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Hypertension, pregnancy, exercise-induced and idiopathic causes are some mechanisms of cardiomegaly. Discover the latest research of cardiomegaly here.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by manic and/or depressive episodes and associated with uncommon shifts in mood, activity levels, and energy. Discover the latest research this illness here.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Antipsychotic drugs are a class of medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Discover the latest research on antipsychotic drugs here

Related Papers

Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie
I TzialidouH H Günter
Maternal and Child Health Journal
Marco De SantisCarmen De Luca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Janine B WinterbottomGus A Baker
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved