[Prognosis of puerperal psychoses: follow-up and outcome after an average of 26 years].

61 women, who became ill for the first time in their life within 6 weeks after childbirth were investigated after a mean of 25.6 years (minimum 12, maximum 41 years), using various standardised instruments of evaluation. A total of 39 Patient (63.9%) had had a recurrence of illness, the average number of further episodes being 4.8. 31 of the women had had additional pregnancies and deliveries, and 8 of these (25.8%) had suffered another postpartum psychosis. 23.5% of the patients who had reached or passed the climacteric became ill again in close connection with that time (first time after the postpartum psychosis or first time after a relapse-free interval of more than 12 years). 72.1% of the patients were symptom-free at the time of follow-up, only 17 (27.9%) showed persisting alterations (13.1% "adynamic-deficient syndrome", 9.8% "slight asthenic insufficiency syndrome", 4.9% "chronic subdepressive syndrome"). Considering also the findings according to the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) and Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO/DAS) the long-term outcome was found to be favourable in the majority of cases, with regard to the frequency and intensity of disability and persisting alterations.