Both citalopram and escitalopram are antidepressants belonging to the SSRI class.  While escitalopram (marketed in the U.S. as Lexapro) contains only the S-stereoisomer (or enantiomer) of the drug citalopram, Celexa or generic citalopram is a racemic mixture of the S-citalopram and its mirror image, R-citalopram, which is less effective as an antidepressant.
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum psychiatric illness, occurring in approximately 1 to 2 per 1000 women after childbirth. Although bipolar disorder is a risk factor for postpartum psychosis, a substantial number of women who develop postpartum psychosis have no history of psychiatric illness and experience psychiatric illness only in the context of childbearing. What may cause or trigger postpartum psychosis in this population is not well understood.
Part 4:Â The Postpartum Period
Part 3: Planning for the Postpartum Period
Part 1:Â Pre-Pregnancy Planning
It is estimated that up to 95% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. While for many women the insomnia is relatively benign and may respond to simple interventions, other women experience more severe insomnia which has a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function. Various non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agents, specifically zalepion (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zolpidem (Ambien), are commonly used for the short-term treatment of insomnia; however, information regarding the reproductive safety of these sleep aids has been sparse.
It is now estimated that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect about 1% to 2% of the population. Data derived from twin and sibling studies indicate that ASD is highly heritable. While genetic factors clearly play an important role, other studies point to an interplay between environmental and genetic factors in the etiology of this disorder. Over the years, various environmental exposures have been implicated, including vaccinations, mercury, and insecticides; however, it has been difficult to generate solid evidence linking specific environmental factors with increased risk for autism.
In a recent study by Gerardin and colleagues, the authors note that more research has been done to demonstrate the consequences of postpartum depression than depression during pregnancy (also called antenatal or prenatal depression). Infants born to mothers with depression during pregnancy have been demonstrated to have lower scores on motor behavior and more crying and irritability. Few studies, however, have assessed the longer-term effects of antenatal depression.
