The study collected information on the situation of children of psycho
tic mothers. Methods: Case reports of a total of 279 female patients w
ith schizophrenia or puerperal psychosis were analysed retrospectively
. Results: 128 of these patients gave birth to 218 children. Approxima
tely 80% of the children grew up with their families, and only 8% had
to be transferred to foster families or foster homes. Two case vignett
es illustrate child care problems in a community psychiatric setting.
Conclusions: Child care is exercised even in families where mothers su
ffer from psychotic illness. However, many of these mothers do not rec
eive the help they require.