A follow-up study of severe puerperal psychiatric illness.

The outcome in clinical and social terms of a psychiatric illness arising within 1 year of confinement or termination of pregnancy and requiring on-going care was studied after a period of 1-6 years in 47 women. The outcome was related to the earlier features of the illness and to personal and historical features. Social impairment and continuing psychopathology occurred in many cases. The only factor which significantly related to poor outcome was an initial diagnosis of schizophrenia.