A systematic review of the nutritional status of women of a childbearing age with severe mental illness

Women with Schizophrenia Have Difficulty Maintaining Healthy Diets for Themselves and Their Children: A Narrative Review

Severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are inevitably linked to unemployment, meagre per capita income, and residence in disadvantaged, poorly resourced neighbourhoods. This means difficult access to healthy food and is particularly problematic for pregnant women and mothers with children to feed. The necessity of taking antipsychotic drugs is an additional barrier to healthy eating because these drugs are associated with serious cognitive, psychological, behavioural, and metabolic sequelae. Being ill with psychosis makes it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy diet; nutritional deficiencies result, as do medical complications. The results of present literature review confirm the gravity of the problem and suggest a number of potentially useful clinical interventions.

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To verify whether folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is associated with the occurrence of maternal depressive symptoms at three months postpartum, in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

METHODS

This study included 4,046 women, who were classified into three groups: did not use folic acid supplementation during pregnancy; used during only one trimester of pregnancy; and used for two or three trimesters. Depressive symptoms were assessed at three months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), at cutoff points ≥ 10 (mild symptoms) and ≥ 13 (moderate to severe intensity).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of mild symptoms was of 20.2% (95%CI 19.0-21.5), and moderate and severe was 11% (95%CI 10.0-12.0). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 10 was of 26.8% (95%CI 24.0-29.5) among women who did not use folic acid and 18.1% for both those who used it during one trimester of pregnancy (95%CI 16.1-20.1) and those who used it for two or three trimesters (95%CI 16.0-20.2). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 13 was of 15.7% (95%CI 13.5-17.9) in those who did not use folic acid, 9.1% (95%CI 7.5-10.6) in those who used it for one trimester, and 9.4% (95%CI 7.8-11.0) in those who used it for two or three trimesters. In the adjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant association between the use of folic acid during pregnancy and the occurrence of depressive symptoms at three months postpartum.

CONCLUSION

There was no association between folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum depression at three months.

Long-acting injectable aripiprazole in pregnant women with schizophrenia: a case-series report

Antipsychotic long-acting formulations (LAI-AP) have emerged as a new therapeutic choice to treat patients presenting a severe mental disorder. Despite that, to date, there is a lack of safety data and studies regarding the use of LAI-AP formulations in pregnant women. Here we present the first six-case series of pregnant women with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole-LAI reported in the literature. All patients remained psychopathologically stable through pregnancy and the postpartum period, and all of them were in treatment with aripiprazole-LAI. To date, all infants remain healthy with normal developmental milestones, without the presence of congenital malformations or adverse effects. Lack of information on safety data regarding the use of new antipsychotic formulations remains important in treating women with mental illness who desire to become pregnant. Further studies in this clinical population with a larger number of patients included remains necessary.

Nutritional status, food choices, barriers and facilitators to healthy nutrition in pregnant women with severe mental illness: a mixed methods approach

BACKGROUND

Although widely acknowledged that adequate maternal nutrition is important for mother and baby, limited research has focussed on women with severe mental illnesses (SMI) in pregnancy. The present study reports on nutritional factors and food choices and investigates barriers and facilitators to healthy nutritional choices by pregnant women with SMI.

METHODS

A prospective mixed method study was undertaken of 38 pregnant women with SMI, including a cross-sectional survey, a food frequency questionnaire and 12 postnatal qualitative interviews, with integrated analysis of all data.

RESULTS

Elevated rates of obesity (35%) were found, with 82% of women having above the recommended gestational weight gain. Despite perceived knowledge, 32% of women did not meet any of the Five Food Group serving recommendations for pregnancy and consumed above-recommended levels for processed (19%) and sugar snacks (51%). Thematic analysis identified four main barriers: a discrepancy between knowledge and action, food cravings, mental health, and physical health. During pregnancy, food cravings were reported in 66% of women, psychological distress in 71% and physical distress in 37%. Screening identified 19% with potential eating disordered behaviours. Despite the challenges, several facilitators were identified and covered three themes: access to a dietitian, information delivery and support, and comprehensive care.

DISCUSSION

Women with SMI in pregnancy struggle with issues of obesity, gestational weight gain, food cravings and possible eating disorder behaviours. They have additional challenges when pregnant, with management of their mental health and physical health having a direct impact. Interventional strategies in this population should incorporate findings from this research.

Geographical analysis of evaluated chronic disease programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian primary health care setting: a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Targeted chronic disease programs are vital to improving health outcomes for Indigenous people globally. In Australia it is not known where evaluated chronic disease programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been implemented. This scoping review geographically examines where evaluated chronic disease programs for Aboriginal people have been implemented in the Australian primary health care setting. Secondary objectives include scoping programs for evidence of partnerships with Aboriginal organisations, and use of ethical protocols. By doing so, geographical gaps in the literature and variations in ethical approaches to conducting program evaluations are highlighted.

METHODS

The objectives, inclusion criteria and methods for this scoping review were specified in advance and documented in a published protocol. This scoping review was undertaken in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. The search included 11 academic databases, clinical trial registries, and the grey literature.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 6894 citations, with 241 retrieved from the grey literature and targeted organisation websites. Title, abstract, and full-text screening was conducted by two independent reviewers, with 314 citations undergoing full review. Of these, 74 citations evaluating 50 programs met the inclusion criteria. Of the programs included in the geographical analysis (n = 40), 32.1% were implemented in Major Cities and 29.6% in Very Remote areas of Australia. A smaller proportion of programs were delivered in Inner Regional (12.3%), Outer Regional (18.5%) and Remote areas (7.4%) of Australia. Overall, 90% (n = 45) of the included programs collaborated with an Aboriginal organisation in the implementation and/or evaluation of the program. Variation in the use of ethical guidelines and protocols in the evaluation process was evident.

CONCLUSIONS

A greater focus on the evaluation of chronic disease programs for Aboriginal people residing in Inner and Outer Regional areas, and Remote areas of Australia is required. Across all geographical areas further efforts should be made to conduct evaluations in partnership with Aboriginal communities residing in the geographical region of program implementation. The need for more scientifically and ethically rigorous approaches to Aboriginal health program evaluations is evident.

Perinatal mental health: What every neonatologist should know

Perinatal mental disorders are common and can impact adversely both on maternal functioning and on foetal and neonatal outcomes. For the more severe disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression, medication may be needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and there is a growing but complex evidence based on the effects of psychotropic medication on the foetus and neonate. In addition, the neonatologist needs to be aware of the co-morbid problems that women with mental disorders are more likely to have as these may also impact on the neonate. Close liaison with family physicians and primary care where there are concerns about mental health is important to ensure maternal mental health is optimal for the mother and her infant.

The characteristics and health needs of pregnant women with schizophrenia compared with bipolar disorder and affective psychoses

BACKGROUND

Most women with psychotic disorders and bipolar disorders have children but their pregnancies are at risk of adverse psychiatric and fetal outcome. The extent of modifiable risk factors - both clinical and socio-demographic - is unclear as most studies have used administrative data or recruited from specialist tertiary referral clinics. We therefore aimed to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of an epidemiologically representative cohort of pregnant women with affective and non-affective severe mental illness.

METHODS

Women with severe mental illness were identified from a large electronic mental health case register in south London, and a data linkage with national maternity Hospital Episode Statistics identified pregnancies in 2007-2011. Data were extracted using structured fields, text searching and natural language processing applications.

RESULTS

Of 456 pregnant women identified, 236 (51.7%) had schizophrenia and related disorders, 220 (48.3%) had affective psychosis or bipolar disorder. Women with schizophrenia and related disorders were younger, less likely to have a partner in pregnancy, more likely to be black, to smoke or misuse substances and had significantly more time in the two years before pregnancy in acute care (inpatient or intensive home treatment) compared with women with affective disorders. Both groups had high levels of domestic abuse in pregnancy (recorded in 18.9%), were from relatively deprived backgrounds and had impaired functioning measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale. Women in the affective group were more likely to stop medication in the first trimester (39% versus 25%) whereas women with non-affective psychoses were more likely to switch medication.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of women, particularly those with non-affective psychoses, have modifiable risk factors requiring tailored care to optimize pregnancy outcomes. Mental health professionals need to be mindful of the possibility of pregnancy in women of childbearing age and prescribe and address modifiable risk factors accordingly.

Bipolar disorder, affective psychosis, and schizophrenia in pregnancy and the post-partum period

The perinatal period is associated with an increased risk of severe mental disorders. We summarise the evidence regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment of severe mental illness in relation to childbirth, focusing on bipolar disorder, affective psychosis, and schizophrenia. We discuss women with ongoing chronic conditions and those with the onset of new episodes of post-partum psychosis. Despite the importance of perinatal episodes, with suicide a leading cause of maternal death, few studies are available to guide the management of women with severe mental disorders in pregnancy and the post-partum period. However, general principles of management are discussed, including the need for an individual risk-benefit analysis for each woman.

Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with severe mental illness: to what extent can they be prevented?

BACKGROUND

Women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of obstetric and neonatal complications. The aim of this study was to better understand the factors that may influence these adverse outcomes.

METHOD

We examined obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and factors possibly influencing these outcomes. A retrospective review of the medical history of 112 women with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder was undertaken. Data for controls were extracted from the hospital's electronic birth record data.

RESULTS

Women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder presented later for their first antenatal visit and had higher rates of smoking and illicit drug use than the control group. They also had higher rates of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Their infants were less likely to have Apgar scores 8-10 at both 1 and 5minutes and were more likely to be admitted to special care/neonatal intensive care nursery than the infants of controls. The rate of pre-term birth was significantly increased in the women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Pre-term birth and admission to special care/neonatal intensive care were predicted by smoking and illicit drug use.

CONCLUSION

These data point to potentially modifiable factors as significant contributors to the high rate of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with mental illness. Comprehensive management of women with mental illness prior to, during pregnancy and in the postnatal period may have long-term benefits for their offspring.