Puerperal psychiatric disorders in Nigerian women.

Forty-two cases of psychiatric disorders occurring within six-months of childbirth and seen over a 15-month period were studied retrospectively. The majority of the cases were less than 30 years old, married and primiparous. There was a preponderance of schizophrenic over other psychiatric syndromes. The onset of illness in the majority (71.4%) was after the first two weeks of post-partum. The implication of this for postnatal clinical assessment was discussed. There was no significant difference in the mean length of admission of the major diagnostic groups. The outcome was satisfactory in 76.2% of them.