Recent Posts

Current research on pregnancy outcomes in women with anorexia nervosa has yielded conflicting results. While some studies report an increased risk of cesarean delivery, miscarriage, preterm birth, and small?for?gestational age birth in this population, others find no association. Many of the studies are limited by small sample sixe and do not account for severity of illness. In a recent study, researchers performed a retrospective cohort study including 2,134,945 pregnancies in Quebec, Canada (1989-2016) using an...

While we have data to support the use of antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), during pregnancy, most studies have focused on risk of congenital malformations, and we have less information on longer term neurodevelopmental outcomes.  In a recent study, Singal and colleagues look at neurodevelopmental outcomes in kindergartners with prenatal exposure to antidepressants.   Researchers utilized administrative databases to identify a population-based cohort of 266,479 children...

Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health.  Two studies in this collection look at the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women: one from China and the other from Quebec, Canada.  Not surprisingly, women experienced higher levels of anxiety than women who were...

Over the past two months, the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health has had the tremendous opportunity to host virtual rounds from 2-3pm EST via Zoom for all health professionals with an interest in reproductive psychiatry and women's mental health. We have reached nearly 300 students and practitioners in 33 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and 5 additional countries. Invaluable contributions from our guests panelists, as well as the thoughtful questions and cases submitted by participants,...

In the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Rommel and colleagues present a systematic review examining the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to antidepressants on physical, neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric outcomes in children 4 years of age or older.  The researchers identified original research articles in the medical literature which included information on the long-term outcomes of prenatal antidepressant exposure. After screening and removal of duplicate studies, a total of 34 studies were included...

In an effort to decrease the spread of COVID-19, public health officials have recommended that we minimize close physical contact with others and furthermore require those with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection to be under quarantine.  These guidelines are scientifically sound and absolutely appropriate, except when it comes to taking care of a newborn.  Everything we typically recommend to the new mother to promote bonding and to optimize newborn care -- skin-to-skin contact with...