This week, we look at a troubling rise in maternal suicide attempts, a case report on adult ARFID, and a debate over a new equation for estimating 12-hour serum lithium levels.
Researchers Issue Call for Stronger Interventions
A new study in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry examines suicide attempts among pregnant and postpartum individuals. And the data unearthed some disturbing trends and risk factors, underscoring the need for stronger mental health support during and after pregnancy.
Researchers analyzed hospital and emergency department (ED) data in California from 2010 to 2021. The team found that 0.13% of delivering individuals went to the ED because of a suicide attempt. Most of those occurred postpartum. Younger individuals, non-Hispanic Black individuals, those with Medicaid or no insurance, and those in rural areas all faced the highest risks.
Mental health conditions – bipolar and psychotic disorders in particular – emerged as the most significant risk factors. Substance use disorders also notably bumped up the likelihood of a suicide attempt.
Additionally, individuals with multiple psychiatric conditions appeared to be at much high risk. And any ED visit during pregnancy — regardless of the reason — invariably showed ties to an increased risk of postpartum suicide attempts. This, the authors suggest, means that these visits could be critical intervention opportunities.
Although overall pregnancy-related suicide deaths tumbled during the pandemic, rates jumped among racial and ethnic minority groups. As a result, experts warn that maternal suicide persists as a major but often overlooked cause of death, prompting policy efforts such as the 2021 TRIUMPH for New Moms Act.
The study’s authors insist that we need better mental health screening, expanded Medicaid coverage for postpartum care, and improved access to behavioral health services. With suicide accounting for one out of every 20 maternal deaths in the United States, they argue that policymakers must act to safeguard vulnerable mothers and their infants.
IN OTHER PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY NEWS
- A case study in this week’s Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, explores the need for individualized treatment protocols for adult patients with avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder.
- In a new JCP commentary, the authors debate the potential benefits (and limitations) of a new formula for estimating 12-hour serum lithium levels.
- Another PPC case study discusses a unique case of extended postoperative psychosis after intraoperative ketamine induction for analgesia.
- Also in JCP this week, original research explores a link between high baseline plasma p-tau181 levels and a higher risk of incident mild behavioral impairment in multi-ethnic Asian older adults.
- Finally, why is everyone suddenly talking about lorazepam?
