Quantifying the Mortality Risk from Severe Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders

Defining the mortality risk associated with postpartum psychiatric disorders is important, given their prevalence and potential severity. Investigators analyzed childbirth and psychiatric data (collected in 1970–2011) for more than 1.5 million mothers and nonmothers born in Denmark. International Classification of Diseases diagnoses were used to identify psychiatric disorders. Analyses were adjusted for medical comorbidities and family mental illness.

During follow-up (≤42 years), 96 women with a severe postpartum psychiatric disorder (first psychiatric contact within 90 days postpartum) died: 60% from natural causes, 30% by suicide, and 10% in accidents. Compared to mothers with no psychiatric history, those with a severe postpartum psychia…