Severe mental illness which develops acutely in the early postnatal period, usually within the first month following delivery
Aetiology
About 1 in 1,000 births, presents between 2-4 weeks postpartum
Risk factors include: previous thyroid disorder, previous episode, family history, being unmarried, first pregnancy, c-section and perinatal death
Women with a history of mental illness are at increased risk, but 50% of patients do not have any previous history
Clinical presentation
Characterised by acute sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, manic symptoms/disinhibition, confusion
Management
It is a psychiatric emergency due to safeguarding risks - requires urgent assessment, referral, and usually admission, ideally to a specialist mother and baby unit
Medication usually involves an antipsychotic and/or mood stabiliser
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