Psychotropic medication in pregnancy

The rate of mental illness in parents of infants is on the rise, which in turn poses the question, is there an increase in the use of psychotropic medication in pregnancy, and if so what are the effects on the infant?

In a letter to the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia, Dr Roisin Worsley of the SPHPM brings up the issue of increasing psychotropic medication in pregnancy, and the lack of information surrounding the potential effects.
 

In an attempt to redress this dearth of knowledge, Dr Roisin and colleagues have established the National Registry of Antipsychotic Medication in Pregnancy. From their data they have discovered that pregnant women are using antipsychotic medication for a wide range of disorders, and with the use of these drugs extending beyond psychotic disorders, it is important to understand the potential effects of antipsychotics on pregnancy.