BACKGROUND Research has suggested an association between obstetric complications and bipolar disorder. However, no quantitative evaluation has been made of the pooled data from existing studies. AIMS To systematically review studies comparing exposure to obstetric complications in cases of bipolar disorder v. non-psychiatric controls, and in cases of bipolar disorder v. cases of other mental ...

INTRODUCTION Obstetric patients are generally young and healthy. However, the potential for catastrophic complications is real, and despite the therapeutic advances of the last few decades, maternal morbidity and mortality continue to occur. This may be related to the pregnancy itself, aggravation of a preexisting illness, or complications of the (operative) delivery. PURPOSE The purpose of t...

Neurological disorders are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. In the UK between 2003 and 2005, women with neurological conditions accounted for 37 out of a total 87 ‘indirect’ maternal deaths (those not arising from pregnancy or birth), with stroke (n = 24) and epilepsy (n =11)1 accounting for the majority of deaths from neurological causes2. Neurological assessment ca...

The high neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality associated with the extremes of birth weight is referred to as the obstetric dilemma. Pre-eclampsia and other conditions that lead to low birth weight are considered as the Great Obstetrical Syndromes (GOS). At the other extreme is high birth weight resulting in obstructed labour. Fetal weight largely depends on placental function and defec...

The study of proteomics could explain many aspects of obstetric disorders. We undertook this review with the aim of assessing the utility of proteomics in the specialty of obstetrics. We searched the electronic databases of MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, BVS Bireme, and SciELO, using various search terms with the assistance of a librarian. We considered cohort studies, case-control studies, case series, a...

Main results Interpersonal difficulties and emotional problems during childhood were more likely among adults with general psychiatric disorders. Additional neuromotor, language and cognitive impairments were present only in children later diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder. Persistent developmental impairment also predicted self reported psychotic symptoms at 11 years, independent of soc...