Lithium in the Prevention of Postpartum Recurrence of Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Women with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for relapse/recurrence during the postpartum period. This risk decreases with prophylactic pharmacologic treatment, compared to those who remain medication-free. Lithium use in preventing relapse has been studied extensively in individuals with bipolar disorder, though its specific use in the postpartum has not received as much attention.