Timing of suicide attempts by self-poisoning during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the timing and conseque nces of suicide attempts by self-poisoning during pregnancy. Methods: A pop ulation-based prospective study was organised in the toxicological in-patie nt hospital in Budapest which is responsible for health services for adult inhabitants poisoned by ingesting chemicals in Budapest and the surrounding area involving 3 million people between 1985 and 1993. All women aged betw een 16 and 50 years (22 969) who were admitted to the study hospital due to suicide attempts by drug ingestion were examined by a sensitive serum preg nancy test. Results: Of 559 self-poisoned pregnant women, two died. The pea k period of suicide attempts was found to be in the first postconceptual mo nth and its majority resulted in a very early fetal loss. The second highes t figure was recorded in the second postconceptual month. Thus, 61% of suic ide attempts occurred before the third postconceptual month. Later pregnanc ies had a significantly lower proportion of attempting suicide parallel wit h advanced fetal development. Conclusions: Most suicide attempts by self-po isoning occurred after the early recognition of unwanted pregnancies and mo st resulted in a very early fetal loss. Pregnancies with advanced gestation months had a significantly lower proportion of attempting suicide, (C) 199 9 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.