Topiramate and Pregnancy: More on Risk of Major Malformations
Topiramate (TPM, marketed as Topamax) is an antiepileptic drug which is also used for migraine prophylaxis, weight loss, and, less commonly, as a mood stabilizer. Over the last few years we have seen several studies suggesting an increased risk of oral clefts in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy. A recent study analyzes claims data to estimate the prevalence of major congenital malformations (MCMs) other than oral [...]
Calcium and Vitamin D Not Helpful for Menopausal Symptoms in Older Women
According to a new study, supplementation with calcium and vitamin D does not appear to improve menopause-related vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, or sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Trial. 34,157 women (mean age of 64) were randomized to receive calcium carbonate 1000 mg with vitamin D 400 IU daily or placebo. While calcium and vitamin D are important for [...]
From Ob Gyn News: Opportunities and Limits in Universal Screening for Perinatal Depression
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice recently published a revised opinion on screening for perinatal depression, recommending that “clinicians screen patients at least once during the perinatal period for depression and anxiety symptoms using a standard, validated tool.” The statement adds that “women with current depression or anxiety, a history of perinatal mood disorders, or risk factors for perinatal mood disorders warrant particularly close monitoring, [...]
Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss at Risk for Depression and Anxiety
In a recent cross-sectional study from Denmark, researchers compared the prevalence of stress and depressive symptoms among 301 women with recurrent pregnancy loss (or RPL) and 1813 women attempting to conceive naturally. RPL was defined as three or more pregnancy losses before 12 weeks' gestation. The Major Depression Index (MDI) was used to assess symptoms of depression, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure stress. Among the RPL [...]
Raloxifene Improves Cognition in Schizophrenia
Several years ago, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may be a beneficial treatment for women with schizophrenia. In this study, patients with schizophrenia were treated with estrogen. There was significant improvement in their positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), but no difference in negative symptoms (reduction in range of emotional expression, poverty of speech, lack of motivation). A new study looks at the effects of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator [...]
Screening for Depression During Pregnancy May Lead to Misdiagnosis for Women with Bipolar Disorder
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology now recommends that women be screened for depression during pregnancy. Because depressive symptoms during pregnancy have been associated with worse outcomes and are a robust predictor of postpartum depression, the identification of women with depression during pregnancy would help us to identify women in need of treatment and who are at high risk of depressive illness during the postpartum period. While this seems like [...]