Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Koren, G. Articles by Zipursky, R. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Koren, G. Articles by Zipursky, R. B. Gender Miscellaneous Ethics Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Other Neuroleptics

Use of Atypical Antipsychotics During Pregnancy and the Risk of Neural Tube Defects in Infants

OBJECTIVE: Folate deficiency in early pregnancy and maternal adiposity, independent of folate intake, lead to a greater risk of neural tube defects in infants. Atypical antipsychotics cause various degrees of weight gain. The authors assessed folate status and obesity among patients with schizophrenia receiving atypical antipsychotics. METHOD: A sample of 70 inpatients and outpatients (21 of them women) who were taking antipsychotics was randomly selected. Body weight, body mass index, daily folate intake, and folate serum concentrations were determined. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were overweight. Only eight of 37 patients had folate intake above 400 µg/day, the level shown to be protective against neural tube defects. Mean serum folate was significantly lower than in a general hospital group of 810 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Women with schizophrenia who take atypical antipsychotics have a higher risk of neural tube defects in their infants because of the associated low intake of folate and obesity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Duran, M. M. Ugur, S. Turan, and M. Emul Case Report: Clozapine use in two women with schizophrenia during pregnancy J Psychopharmacol, January 1, 2008; 22(1): 111 - 113. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Howard, R. Webb, and K. Abel Safety of antipsychotic drugs for pregnant and breastfeeding women with non-affective psychosis BMJ, October 23, 2004; 329(7472): 933 - 934. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. C. Goff, T. Bottiglieri, E. Arning, V. Shih, O. Freudenreich, A. E. Evins, D. C. Henderson, L. Baer, and J. Coyle Folate, Homocysteine, and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2004; 161(9): 1705 - 1708. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Gentile Clinical Utilization of Atypical Antipsychotics in Pregnancy and Lactation Ann. Pharmacother., July 1, 2004; 38(7): 1265 - 1271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. FREEMAN, B. L. GRACIOUS, and K. L. WISNER Pregnancy Outcomes in Schizophrenia Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2002; 159(9): 1609 - 1609. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2002 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us