Lithium prophylaxis during pregnancy and the postpartum period in women with lithium-responsive bipolar I disorder

Facts and myths about the use of lithium for bipolar disorder in routine clinical practice: an expert consensus paper

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder is one of the most burdensome severe mental disorders, characterized by high levels of personal and social disability. Patients often need an integrated pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach. Lithium is one of the most effective treatments available not only in psychiatry, but in the whole medicine, and its clinical efficacy is superior to that of other mood stabilizers. However, a declining trend on lithium prescriptions has been observed worldwide in the last 20 years, supporting the notion that lithium is a 'forgotten drug' and highlighting that the majority of patients with bipolar disorder are missing out the best available pharmacological option. Based on such premises, a narrative review has been carried out on the most common "misconceptions" and "stereotypes" associated with lithium treatment; we also provide a list of "good reasons" for using lithium in ordinary clinical practice to overcome those false myths.

MAIN TEXT

A narrative search of the available literature has been performed entering the following keywords: "bipolar disorder", "lithium", "myth", "mythology", "pharmacological treatment", and "misunderstanding". The most common false myths have been critically revised and the following statements have been proposed: (1) Lithium should represent the first choice for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder; (2) lithium treatment is effective in different patients' groups suffering from bipolar disorder; (3) Drug-drug interaction risk can be easily managed during lithium treatment; (4) The optimal management of lithium treatment includes periodical laboratory tests; (5) Slow-release lithium formulation has advantages compared to immediate release formulation; (6) Lithium treatment has antisuicidal properties; (7) Lithium can be carefully managed during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

In recent years, a discrepancy between evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice in using lithium treatment for patients with bipolar disorder has been highlighted. It is time to disseminate clear and unbiased information on the clinical efficacy, effectiveness, tolerability and easiness to use of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder. It is necessary to reinvigorate the clinical and academic discussion about the efficacy of lithium, to counteract the decreasing prescription trend of one of the most effective drugs available in the whole medicine.

Lithium use in childhood and adolescence, peripartum, and old age: an umbrella review

BACKGROUND

Lithium is one of the most consistently effective treatment for mood disorders. However, patients may show a high level of heterogeneity in treatment response across the lifespan. In particular, the benefits of lithium use may vary in special clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by conducting an umbrella review on the efficacy and safety of lithium in childhood and adolescence, peripartum and old age.

METHODS

We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses criteria (PRISMA) to identify systematic reviews/meta-analyses on the efficacy and/or safety of lithium in mood disorders in special clinical conditions: (i) childhood and adolescence; (ii) peripartum (pregnancy, postpartum and lactation); (iii) old age. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Overlap in primary studies across systematic reviews was calculated through the Corrected Covered Area (CCA).

RESULTS

We included 20 independent studies, for a total of 8209 individuals treated with lithium. Regarding paediatric age, efficacy and safety results suggested that lithium may be superior to placebo in bipolar disorders (BD) and not associated with serious adverse events. Nevertheless, primary available data are very limited. Efficacy in paediatric major depressive disorder (MDD) is not clear. During peripartum, lithium use was superior to non-lithium in preventing mood episodes and it was associated with low risk of congenital anomalies and with normal child neurodevelopment. Regarding old age, limited evidence supported lithium as an effective treatment in BD and resistant MDD; low doses should be used in this population. Systematic reviews on paediatric age showed the lowest risk of bias (80% of the studies at low risk). The CCA range of included studies was 13-47%.

CONCLUSIONS

This umbrella review supports the use of lithium across the lifespan, including special clinical condition. Nevertheless, more studies with increased methodological homogeneity are needed.

Early Postnatal Outcome and Care after in Utero Exposure to Lithium: A Single Center Analysis of a Belgian Tertiary University Hospital

Knowledge of the impact of in utero exposure to lithium during the postnatal period is limited. Besides a possible teratogenic effect during the first trimester, exposure during the second and third trimesters might lead to neonatal effects. Uniform guidelines for postnatal management of these neonates are lacking. The aim was to retrospectively describe all neonates admitted to the University Hospitals Leuven after in utero exposure to lithium (January 2010 to April 2020), and to propose a postnatal care protocol. Descriptive statistics were performed. For continuous parameters with serial measurements, median population values were calculated. In total, 10 mother-neonate pairs were included. The median gestational age was 37 (interquartile range, IQR, 36-39) weeks. Neonatal plasma lithium concentration at birth was 0.65 (IQR 0.56-0.83) mmol/L with a median neonate/mother ratio of 1.02 (IQR 0.87-1.08). Three neonates needed respiratory support, 7/10 started full enteral (formula) feeding on day 1. The median length of neonatal stay was 8.5 (IQR 8-12) days. One neonate developed nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. This study reported in detail the postnatal characteristics and short-term neonatal outcomes. A postnatal care protocol was proposed, to enhance the quality of care for future neonates, and to guide parental counselling. Future prospective protocol evaluation is needed.

Impact of menstrual cycle events on bipolar disorder course: a narrative review of current evidence

Several lines of research suggest that reproductive-related hormonal events may affect the course of bipolar disorder in some women. However, data on associations between bipolar disorder and menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause are mixed. This article reviews the literature on the potential effects of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar disorder.A narrative review of published articles on bipolar disorder and menstrual cycle events was conducted. The primary outcome assessed was the impact of menarche, menstrual cycle and menopause on the course of bipolar illness. Databases searched were PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane Libraries from inception to August 2021.Twenty-two studies were identified and included in the narrative synthesis. Research suggested that a subset of women with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to the impact of menstrual cycle events. Menarche seems to be associated with age at onset of bipolar illness especially in case of bipolar disorder type I and the specific age at menarche may predict some clinical features of the disorder. Menstrual cycle likely affects the course of bipolar disorder but the pattern of mood variability is not clear. Menopause appears to be not only a period of vulnerability to mood alteration, especially depressive episodes, and impairment of quality of life, but also a potential trigger of bipolar illness onset.The impact of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar disorder is largely understudied. Preliminary evidence suggests that a subset of women with bipolar disorder may have their mood shifts affected by menstrual cycle events, with different patterns depending on the type of bipolar disorder also. Further researches are needed to deep the impact of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar illness.

Effect of Depressive Disorders and Their Pharmacological Treatment during Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome

Purpose: Depressive disorders are related to obstetrical and neonatal complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of pregnancy in women suffering from depressive disorders, who are treated or not treated with pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. Methods: The maternal and neonatal outcomes of 281 pregnant women with depressive disorders (D group-DG), who delivered their babies at Sant'Anna Hospital of Turin, were compared with those of a control group of 200 depression-free, healthy, pregnant women, who were matched for maternal age (C group-CG). Of the depressed patients, those who received pharmacotherapy during pregnancy (DG-Tr, n = 199, 70.8%) were compared with those who did not (DG-Untr, n = 82, 29.2%). The comparisons were performed using χ² tests for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. A linear regression analysis was run to examine the association between APGAR scores at 5 min and certain clinical variables. Results: The women in DG showed higher rates of cesarean section, preterm delivery, induction of labor and SGA babies, and low neonatal weights and 5-min APGAR scores, compared to the untreated patients. Those treated with psychotropic drugs showed lower rates of cesarean section, but lower 5-min APGAR scores, compared to those who were untreated. However, after controlling for confounding variables, the 5-min APGAR scores were linearly associated with neonatal weight and not with the use of psychotropic treatment. No significant differences were observed between the treated and untreated women, regarding the rates of preterm delivery, induction of labor, SGA and low neonatal weight. Conclusion: In pregnant patients with depressive disorders, poorer outcomes are expected vs. healthy controls. Pharmacological treatment is associated with a reduced rate of cesarean section, without inducing other complications for the mother and the newborn.

Pharmacological prevention of mood episodes in women with bipolar disorder during the perinatal period: A systematic review of current literature

OBJECTIVE

This review examined the efficacy of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for reports between 01 January 1996 and 31 December 2019 by using combinations of key words bipolar disorder, pregnancy, postpartum period, puerperium, prophylaxis, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine.

RESULTS

The present reports included a total of 256 patients using lithium (n = 143), lamotrigine (n = 73), valproate (n = 17), olanzapine (n = 17), quetiapine (n = 4) and haloperidol (n = 1) during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Recurrence rates in pregnant patients using lithium (n = 79) and lamotrigine (n = 17) were 22.7 % and 41.2 %, respectively. According to very limited data, none of the patients using valproate (n = 2), quetiapine (n = 3) or olanzapine (n = 6) experienced a new episode during pregnancy. A recurrence was reported in 12 (70.6 %) of 17 patients using valproate during the postpartum period. The same recurrence rates in patients using lithium (n = 123), lamotrigine (n = 63), olanzapine (n = 17) and quetiapine (n = 3) were 20.3 %, 7.9 %, 11.7 %, and 33.3 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that lithium, lamotrigine and olanzapine seem to be effective in preventing new mood episodes in patients with bipolar disorder during the perinatal period.

Psychotropic drug use in perinatal women with bipolar disorder

Optimal dose management of psychotropic drugs during the perinatal period reduces the risk for recurrence of mood episodes in women with Bipolar Disorder. Physiological changes during pregnancy are associated with decreases in the plasma concentrations of the majority of mood stabilizing medications. Regular symptom and drug concentration monitoring for lithium and anticonvulsants with reflexive dose adjustment improves the probability of sustained symptom remission across pregnancy. The elimination clearance trajectory across pregnancy for psychotropics dictates the frequency of laboratory monitoring and dose adjustment. The literature on the pharmacokinetics of lithium, lamotrigine, carbamazepine and atypical antipsychotics during pregnancy and postpartum are reviewed, recommendations for symptom and laboratory monitoring are proposed and recommendations for dose adjustments are presented.

Lithium Exposure During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Safety and Efficacy Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Uncertainty surrounds the risks of lithium use during pregnancy in women with bipolar disorder. The authors sought to provide a critical appraisal of the evidence related to the efficacy and safety of lithium treatment during the peripartum period, focusing on women with bipolar disorder and their offspring.

METHODS

The authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis assessing case-control, cohort, and interventional studies reporting on the safety (primary outcome, any congenital anomaly) or efficacy (primary outcome, mood relapse prevention) of lithium treatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the quality of available PubMed and Scopus records through October 2018.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were included in the analyses (20 studies were of good quality, and six were of poor quality; one study had an unclear risk of bias, and two had a high risk of bias). Thirteen of the 29 studies could be included in the quantitative analysis. Lithium prescribed during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of any congenital anomaly (N=23,300, k=11; prevalence=4.1%, k=11; odds ratio=1.81, 95% CI=1.35-2.41; number needed to harm (NNH)=33, 95% CI=22-77) and of cardiac anomalies (N=1,348,475, k=12; prevalence=1.2%, k=9; odds ratio=1.86, 95% CI=1.16-2.96; NNH=71, 95% CI=48-167). Lithium exposure during the first trimester was associated with higher odds of spontaneous abortion (N=1,289, k=3, prevalence=8.1%; odds ratio=3.77, 95% CI=1.15-12.39; NNH=15, 95% CI=8-111). Comparing lithium-exposed with unexposed pregnancies, significance remained for any malformation (exposure during any pregnancy period or the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during the first trimester), but not for spontaneous abortion (exposure during the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during any pregnancy period). Lithium was more effective than no lithium in preventing postpartum relapse (N=48, k=2; odds ratio=0.16, 95% CI=0.03-0.89; number needed to treat=3, 95% CI=1-12). The qualitative synthesis showed that mothers with serum lithium levels <0.64 mEq/L and dosages <600 mg/day had more reactive newborns without an increased risk of cardiac malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk associated with lithium exposure at any time during pregnancy is low, and the risk is higher for first-trimester or higher-dosage exposure. Ideally, pregnancy should be planned during remission from bipolar disorder and lithium prescribed within the lowest therapeutic range throughout pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester and the days immediately preceding delivery, balancing the safety and efficacy profile for the individual patient.

Risk of recurrence of mood disorders during pregnancy and the impact of medication: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Mood disorders can be difficult to treat during pregnancy. There is still lack of evidence whether pregnancy influences their natural course and whether continuation of pharmacotherapy, despite potential risks for the unborn child, is beneficial in preventing recurrence of mood episodes during pregnancy.

METHODS

Systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, searching Pubmed, PsycINFO, Embase and Cochrane databases up till January 9th, 2018. Recurrence rates and various measures of risk were calculated.

RESULTS

Out of 1387 articles from an initial search 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies reported a wide variation in the recurrence rate of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder during pregnancy (BD: mean = 19%, range = 4%-73%; MDD: mean = 8%, range = 1%-75%). Observational data showed a relative risk reduction of maintenance therapy during pregnancy of 66% in women with BD and 54% for women with MDD, a significant difference (95% CI 9.4-14.6; p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

heterogeneous samples, study designs, and reported outcomes in included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the importance of the topic there is a paucity of evidence on recurrence rates of mood episodes during pregnancy among women with MDD or BD. Unlike the impact of the postpartum period, it is still uncertain whether the course of mood disorders is influenced by pregnancy. Non-randomized studies show that maintenance pharmacotherapy during pregnancy in women with mood disorders significantly (p < 0.01) reduces the risk of recurrence.

Recognizing and Managing Postpartum Psychosis: A Clinical Guide for Obstetric Providers

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that affects 1 to 2 per 1000 women. Key clinical features include mood fluctuation, abnormal thoughts or behaviors, and confusion. Women with a history of bipolar disorder are at heightened risk, as are first-time mothers; current research on the causes focuses on biological triggers, such as immune dysregulation. Women with postpartum psychosis require inpatient hospitalization and should be treated with lithium, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines.

Toxicological and nutritional status of trace elements in hair of women with in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy and their 9-month-old children

The objective of the present study was to assess toxic and nutritional trace element and mineral status in hair of women with IVF pregnancy and their children. Inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry was used to assess hair trace element levels of 50 women with IVF pregnancy and 158 controls with spontaneous pregnancy and their children. Women with IVF pregnancy were characterized by significantly elevated hair As, Hg, Li, K, Na, and reduced Fe, Si, and Zn contents. Children from IVF pregnancy had significantly lower values of hair Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, and Al content when compared to the control values, whereas hair Hg and Mo levels were higher. Hair trace element levels were associated with pregnancy complications and infertility, but not newborn characteristics. The results suggest the need for preconceptional monitoring and correction of the levels of toxic and essential elements in women in order to improve the course pregnancy and child development.

Weighing the Risks: the Management of Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The management of bipolar disorder during pregnancy requires difficult treatment decisions be made by both women and their clinicians. There is little consensus on management despite the high prevalence of bipolar disorder in reproductive-aged women. In this review, we have summarized the available literature and discuss the balancing of risks associated with treatment decisions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cohort studies have shown a high relapse rate in women with bipolar disorder who discontinue mood-stabilizing medications. The risks of fetal medication exposure have been assessed in multiple database studies. Management decisions of bipolar disorder in pregnancy have been made difficult by inconsistencies in study outcomes. There were many confounding factors in the studies of medication discontinuation relapse risk. Inconsistencies in the findings of fetal risks from mood-stabilizing medications have further complicated management decisions. Larger studies are needed to clarify the risks of bipolar disorder relapse in pregnancy with and without treatment.

Between a rock-a-bye and a hard place: mood disorders during the peripartum period

Mood disorders including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are common during and after pregnancy. Timely identification and appropriate management of mood episodes is essential to maximize maternal well-being and minimize adverse outcomes. Failure to do so results in maternal suffering and impaired child bonding, and has the potential for devastating outcomes including suicide and infanticide. Women are routinely screened for unipolar depression during or after pregnancy but not for bipolar disorder, in spite of the fact that childbirth is associated with a major risk for onset or exacerbation of bipolar disorder. Delays in detection as well as misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder as major depressive disorder may put women at risk of many adverse consequences, including symptom exacerbation, psychiatric hospitalization, and suicide. A thorough psychiatric assessment is necessary to establish diagnosis, to address safety issues, and to formulate a treatment plan. Treatment of mood disorders during pregnancy is complicated by the potential risks of fetal exposure to psychotropic medications, and the use of these medications during the postpartum period may result in infant medication exposure through breastmilk. These risks of psychotropic medication exposure must be weighed against the risk of untreated mood disorders. This review will discuss the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mood disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Screening tools that can be used in the primary care and obstetrics settings to assist in identifying women with peripartum mood disorders will also be discussed.

Pregnancy and bipolar disorder: the risk of recurrence when discontinuing treatment with mood stabilisers: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Bipolar disorder in pregnancy may be difficult to treat. The dilemma is whether the women should continue medication throughout pregnancy, and maybe accept a minor risk to harm their unborn child, or discontinue medication and increase the risk of recurrence, which can lead to maternal morbidity, thereby endangering themselves and their foetus. Design and methods In September 2016, three electronic search databases; PubMed, Scopus and PsycInfo, were used searching for clinical trials concerning this question. Eight clinical trials concerning risk of recurrence after discontinuation of medication in pregnancy were included.

RESULTS

There is no consensus concerning the risk of discontinuation of medication during pregnancy among bipolar women. The evidence from the trials included underscore that there seem to be a group of pregnant women who are stable despite they are not receiving mood stabilisers during pregnancy. Besides, there is a group of more severe and more unstable bipolar disorders that seem to benefit of a more close monitoring, support and prophylactic medication during pregnancy and postpartum period to prevent recurrence.

CONCLUSION

For the more stable bipolar women we recommend a well planned and more slowly discontinuation of medication before pregnancy. For the unplanned pregnancies it is important to consider the possibility of a more slowly discontinuation. For the more severe conditions of bipolar disorder, it is important to secure a close monitoring of medication. As the risk of postpartum relapse is high, medication may be started soon after delivery.

Recent advances in understanding maternal perinatal mood disorders

The study of perinatal mental health (mental health during pregnancy and postpartum) is a complex field of study that is of major importance both for the mental and physical health of new mothers and for the neurobehavioral development and long-term functioning of the children they bear. In this review, we cover the most recent additions to this rapidly evolving field. Notable advances include further illumination of the epidemiological patterns and clinical manifestations of perinatal mood disruption; new efficacy data on treatment and prevention; clarifications of the respective contributions of maternal mental illness and psychotropic medication to outcomes of pregnancy, birth, and child development; and updated expert guidelines for screening.

Changes in drug disposition of lithium during pregnancy: a retrospective observational study of patient data from two routine therapeutic drug monitoring services in Norway

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy may cause changes in drug disposition, dose requirements and clinical response. For lithium, changes in disposition during pregnancy have so far been explored in a single-dose study on 4 participants only. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pregnancy on serum levels of lithium in a larger patient material in a naturalistic setting.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study of patient data from 2 routine therapeutic drug monitoring services in Norway, linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

SETTING

Norway, October 1999 to December 2011.

MEASUREMENTS

Dose-adjusted drug concentrations of lithium during pregnancy were compared with the women's own baseline (non-pregnant) values, using a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Overall, coupling 196 726 serum concentration measurements from 54 393 women to the national birth registry identified 25 serum lithium concentration analyses obtained from a total of 14 pregnancies in 13 women, and 63 baseline analyses from the same women. Dose-adjusted serum concentrations in the third trimester were significantly lower than baseline (-34%; CI -44% to -23%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy causes a clinically relevant decline in maternal lithium serum concentrations. In order to maintain stable lithium concentrations during the third trimester of pregnancy, doses generally need to be increased by 50%. Individual variability in decline implies that lithium levels should be even more closely monitored throughout pregnancy and in the puerperium than in non-pregnant women to ensure adequate dosing.