Antipsychotic medication during pregnancy and lactation in women with schizophrenia: evaluating the risk.

Objective: To review studies investigating the following: whether exposing developing infants to antipsychotic medication during pregnancy and lactation is associated with increased risks of teratogenic, neonatal, and long-term neurobehavioural sequelae; whether schizophrenia itself affects pregnancy outcome; and whether the course of schizophrenia symptoms is altered by pregnancy and lactation.

Method: We summarize the results from articles identified via a MedLine search for the period January 1, 1966, to December 1, 2001.

Results: Women with schizophrenia are at increased risk for poor obstetrical outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonates who are small for their gestational age.