New Research from the CWMH: Prenatal Exposure to Atypical Antipsychotics Does Not Increase Risk of Malformations
The use of the newer “atypical” or second-generation antipsychotic agents continues to increase. These medications are used to treat a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders. Although most of the women taking atypical antipsychotics are of childbearing age, our information on the reproductive safety of these newer atypical agents lags behind. When evaluating the reproductive safety of the atypical antipsychotics, the richest data [...]
Weekly Roundup for AUG 19 2016: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
This week brings a large scale study on the reproductive safety of the newer atypical antipsychotic medications from Huybrechts and colleagues. To date, this is the largest sample of antipsychotic-exposed infants assessed, and the results look good, suggesting that the use of atypical antipsychotics during the first trimester of pregnancy does not seem to increase risk for congenital malformations. Antipsychotic Use in Pregnancy and the Risk for Congenital Malformations. Huybrechts KF, [...]
In Brief: Bedtime Stretching Exercise May Help Menopausal Symptoms
Data regarding the use of exercise to alleviate menopausal symptoms in midlife women have been somewhat mixed. Although helpful in some women, moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise may increase the risk of menopausal hot flashes. A recent study suggests that light-intensity exercise, such as stretching may be helpful for menopausal symptoms. Forty Japanese women were included in the study and were randomized to 10 minutes of a stretching exercise before bed [...]
Weekly Roundup for AUG 12 2016: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Several of this week’s articles look at the impact of maternal depression on the child. In the Journal of Pediatrics, Braungart-Rieker and colleagues explore how postpartum depression leads to parenting practices and behaviors which may make children more vulnerable to early onset obesity. In another study, Norwegian researchers observe that maternal depression during pregnancy and during the postpartum period independently affect the child’s social and emotional development. Social Emotional Factors [...]
Preliminary Study: Folic Acid Reduces Risk for Autism in Kids Prenatally Exposed to Antiepileptic Drugs
Several studies have observed that fetal exposure to the antiepileptic drug (AED), valproic acid (Depakote), may significantly increase the risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. In contrast, exposures to other AEDs, including carbamazepine (Tegretol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), and lamotrigine (Lamictal), have not been associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because recent studies have demonstrated that the periconceptual use of folic acid (before conception and [...]
Weekly Roundup for AUG 5 2016: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
This week brings another report from the SWAN study of midlife women indicating that menopausal symptoms are heterogeneous, with a significant proportion of women experiencing symptoms for many years. There is also a very good review (Alpar et al) detailing the effects on children exposed prenatally to cannabis. Body image mediates the depressive effects of weight gain in new mothers, particularly for women already obese: evidence from the Norwegian Mother and [...]