Epidemiology of Psychotic Symptoms during Pregnancy and Postpartum in Women with Schizophrenia

This article reviews the literature on the epidemiology of schizophrenia in pregnancy and the postpartum period. The prevalence of psychotic symptoms is reviewed, along with course and risk factors. Psychotic symptoms occur in women with schizophrenia during pregnancy, and are associated with increased risk of poor obstetrical and postpartum mental health outcomes. In the postpartum period, there is converging evidence that although the highest risk of relapse is in the early postpartum period, women continue to relapse and require admission to hospital throughout the first postpartum year. Risk factors for psychosis in the perinatal period are poorly characterized, but likely include the level of pre-existing illness, medication non-adherence and poor social support. Taken together, the findings of this review support the need for prevention and intervention services in the perinatal period for women with schizophrenia.