Use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in postpartum psychosis—a naturalistic prospective study

• Published in: Archives of women's mental health 2013-06, Vol.16 (3), p.247-251
• Main Authors: Babu, Girish N., Thippeswamy, Harish, Chandra, Prabha S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Breast Feeding; Catatonia; Electroconvulsive therapy; Electroconvulsive Therapy - adverse effects; Electroconvulsive Therapy - methods; Female; Health aspects; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; India; Interviews as Topic; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Original Article; Patient Care Planning; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Psychosis; Psychotherapy; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Psychotic Disorders - therapy; Psychotropic Drugs - therapeutic use; Puerperal Disorders - diagnosis; Puerperal Disorders - psychology; Puerperal Disorders - therapy; Severity of Illness Index; Socioeconomic Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1434-1816; 1435-1102
• DOI: 10.1007/s00737-013-0342-2

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a severe psychiatric condition requiring rapid restoration of health in view of significant risks to both mother and the infant. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often used for treatment of severe PPP. The aims of the study were to describe the indications for ECT among women admitted with PPP to a psychiatric hospital in India. It also aimed at assessing whether women with PPP who received ECT differed in their clinical history, diagnosis, severity of illness, psychopathology, drug dosage, and duration of hospital stay, compared to women who did not receive ECT. Infants of mothers who were breast-feeding their infants while receiving ECT were assessed for adverse effects. This was a naturalistic prospective study of 78 women admitted with PPP, 34 (43.6 %) of whom received ECT. Presence of catatonia, augmentation of medications, and suicidality were common indications for ECT. Catatonic symptoms were significantly higher among women who received ECT. There was no significant difference in duration of hospitalization or severity of psychopathology between women who did and did not receive ECT. Transient side effects to ECT were observed in few women, with no adverse effects noted in infants who were breast-fed. The current study supports the use of ECT as an effective and safe treatment for women with severe PPP.