Treating bipolar disorder in pregnancy

Abstract

IntroductionBipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric illnesses characterized by alternating episodes of mania/hypomania and major depression, or with mixed features. Acute exacerbations and maintenance treatment with appropriate pharmacotherapy are mandatory. Long-term treatment with mood-stabilizing medications is typically required. The incidence of bipolar disorders in women during the primary reproductive years is very high, and the episodes of mania or depression are thought to occur in an estimated 25%–30% of women with bipolar disorder during pregnancy.ObjectivesProvide a clinically focused review of the available information on the effectiveness and safety of the different pharmacotherapies in the treatment of bipolar disorder during pregnancy.MethodsA bibliographic review is made of the pregnancy in bipolar disorder, based on the data published in PubMed.ResultsClinical decision making about the use of mood stabilizers and atypical anti-psychotics by pregnant women can be conceptualized as balancing the competing risks imposed by withholding or stopping pharmacotherapeutic treatment against that of continuing or initiating pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. Some of the most effective pharmacotherapies have been associated with the occurrence of congenital malformations or other adverse neonatal effects in offspring. There is few information about the safety profile and clinical effectiveness of atypical anti-psychotic drugs when used to treat bipolar disorder during pregnancy.ConclusionsTreating women with bipolar disorders during pregnancy is a challenge. There are no uniformly effective or risk-free treatment options. Fully informed decision-making requires the review of the risks of both untreated maternal bipolar disorder and risks associated with potentials interventions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.