ECT in the postpartum period: A retrospective case series from a tertiary health care center in India

Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile and effectiveness of ECT in females with postpartum onset psychiatric syndromes or worsening of psychiatric disorder during the postpartum period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was carried out to identify females who had received ECT during their postpartum period from January2004 to April 2017. Results: During the study period, 13 females in their postpartum period received ECT, which accounted for 2.24% of the total females ( n = 578) who had received ECT and 1% of total patients who were administered ECT during this period. The most common clinical diagnosis was postpartum depression ( n = 7; 53.86%). Three (23.1%) patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had experienced a relapse during the postpartum period. Two (15.4%) patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 1 (7.7%) patient was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis/acute and transient psychotic disorder. ECT was considered as a treatment of choice in 9 (69.2%) patients. All the patients with depression or mania achieved clinical remission, and patients with psychotic disorders also had significant reduction in their symptoms. Cognitive complaints were reported by 4 (30.8%) patients, and aches and pains after ECT were reported by 7 (53.8%). Conclusion: ECT is a safe and effective treatment option in postpartum onset psychiatric syndromes or patients experiencing relapse or exacerbation of severe mental disorders during the postpartum period and is associated with a very good response rate with minimal or no complications.