Abstract- Poster

Abstract

Background:Psychotropic medications can be associated with various types of teratogenic effects and adverse effects in infants during breast feeding.Their occurrence is multifactorial.Hence choice of psychotropic medication becomes important.Published Indian research in this area is lacking.Aims:To study effects of psychotropic medications on pregnancy and breast feeding in women having psychiatric syndromes.Methods:Women attending Psychiatry OPD of a general hospital,receiving psychotropic medications for psychiatric syndromes were followed up for occurrence of teratogenic effects on the foetus and adverse effects in infants during breast feeding.Results:Sample consisted of 13 women whose mean age was 29.76 years. Mean duration of years of marriage was 3½ years and mean years of illness was 4½ years.They were receiving psychotropic medications for a mean duration of 4 years1month.The period of exposure to psychotropic medication was between 2 months to 1year 6 months with mean of 2.8 months.The number of psychotropic medications received ranged from 1 to 4.They included Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Atypical antipsychotics Benzodiazepines, Antiepileptics and Mood stabilizers. Three women had abortion, two having medical termination of pregnancy and one having spontaneous abortion. Of the ten live births one child had abnormalities of right lower limb - genu valgum.No adverse effects on infants during breast feeding were observed.Conclusion:Psychotropic medications can result in termination of pregnancy or other foetal abnormalities. Psychoeducating patients and their care givers about these effects is essential for better coping with such eventualities.