PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUG USE DURING PREGNANCY - WEIGHING THE RISKS

Although psychotropic drugs have not been tested or approved by the Fo od and Drug administration for use during pregnancy, some women contin ue to take these medications while they are pregnant, particularly sin ce mood and anxiety disorders cluster in women during childbearing yea rs. The relative risks and benefits of drug therapy for these women mu st be weighed with each patient and treatment limited to those situati ons in which risks to mother and fetus from the disorder an presumed t o exceed the risk of drug treatment. Risks of psychotropic drug use du ring pregnancy include teratogenic effects, direct neonatal toxicity, and the potential for longer term neurobehavioral sequelae. Of growing concern is the risk of untreated psychiatric disorder as it may poten tially affect fetoplacental integrity and fetal central nervous system development. Coordination of care with the patient, her husband or pa rtner, and the obstetrician is essential, as is careful medical record documentation when treating pregnant patients with psychiatric disord ers.