An investigation into puerperal psychoses in black women admitted to Baragwanath Hospital

Abstract

Objectives. Puerperal psychosis was studied in black African women at Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg. Design. A retrospective study analysed the clinical notes of 314 cases of puerperal psychosis seen over previous years. A prospective study researched 67 cases of puerperal psychosis referred during a full calendar year. A control group of 98 patients was matched with the prospective study patients for age, marital status, parity and month of delivery. Results. The incidence (2-3 cases per 1,000 births), onset and pattern of illness are all remarkably similar to that described in the international literature. Confirmed risk factors were a primiparous patient; a family history of psychi..