2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

A COMPARISON OF MOTHER AND BABY ADMISSIONS TO A SPECIALIST INPATIENT SERVICE WITH POSTNATAL ADMISSIONS TO GENERIC SERVICES

Roch Cantwell*, Neelam Sisodia** and Margaret Oates***

* Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow
** Derby City General Hospital, Derby
*** Department of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham

r.cantwell@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Objectives: To compare the outcomes for women and their babies of admission to specialist inpatient services with admission to generic psychiatric care.

Methods: All postnatal women admitted to a specialist inpatient unit for mothers and babies (Nottingham) over a two-year period were compared with postnatal women admitted during a similar period to generic adult psychiatric care (Glasgow). Outcomes included admission with baby, timing of admission, duration of stay, discharge with baby and readmission rate. Other information gathered included parity, diagnosis, previous psychiatric illness, level of care before admission and use of Mental Health Act detention.

Results: Women admitted to general psychiatric services were less likely to be admitted with their babies. They were more likely to have multiple readmissions within the first postnatal year but their duration of stay during each admission was shorter. Further results will be presented regarding diagnosis and outcome of admission.

Conclusions: There is general agreement, backed by expert recommendations and clinical experience, that babies should usually be admitted alongside mothers who suffer postnatal mental illness, and that such patients should be cared for by mental health teams with special expertise in the diagnosis and management of perinatal disorders. This is the first study to directly compare admission to specialist and general inpatient services for these women. It supports the joint admission of mothers and babies as the most appropriate approach to inpatient management of severe perinatal mental illness.