| Popis: |
UNSTRUCTURED The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus spreads through fomites and air transmission causing mild upper respiratory tract infection, severe acute respiratory distress, neurologic deficits, and death. The pandemic has been stressful for many, especially for pregnant and postpartum women. Since the transition to motherhood is challenging, pandemic-related factors have created an increase in the risk of mental health burden and psychiatric disorders in this cohort. This is attributed to a combination of neuroendocrine factors and pandemic-related factors such as quarantine, remote healthcare consultations, domestic violence, and the fear of infection. It is important to identify and treat mental health disorders in this cohort due to the negative impact on the mother and child, neurological changes (i.e. changes in gray matter volume) in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders, and the risk of self-harm/suicide. Here we review the current knowledge of psychiatric disorders in pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic and consider potential future research. |
