A new and novel treatment for POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION has just been introduced and is indicated for severe refractory PPD. Derived from the natural steroid hormone, allopregnanolone, this novel steroid acts directly in the brain to reduce depression. Its only problem is that it requies a 60 hour IV infusion of drug in a clinical environment. Studies show it is highly effective. Again, its indicated for SEVERE refractory PPD.
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This study suggests that Daily use of HIGH potency cannabis may be associated with higher rates of pyschosis. Daily users of high potency cannabis were 5 times more likely to encounter Psychosis.
(My take on this...) Cannabis has a high attraction for lipid rich adipose (fatty) tissue. Once filled with daily use of high levels of THC, plasma levels probably rise signficantly leading to super high levels of THC in the brain leading to Psychosis.
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Large study of 1 791 520 Swedish children suggests fetal exposure to a maternal infection while hospitalized increased the risk for autism and depressionthat.
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A new IV drug was just released for the treatment of Postpartum Depression. Called Brexanolon (Zulresso), it requires a continuous infusion over 60 hours.
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Excellent article that covers the use of anticonvulsants during pregnancy. As expected Valproic acid is the worst and should be avoided. Folic Acid is greatly beneficial to the fetus. Not much data on the newer anticonvulsants but many are safer. Good read.
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While malaria during pregnancy dramatically increases fetal complications, apparently the drugs might do so as well. 18.5% of exposed pregnancies resulted in miscarriage and 11.8% were elective terminations.
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This extensive review answered one of my long-time questions: Do the antimalarials cause ophthalmic damage when used in infancy? This extensive reveiw suggests they don't and are apparently reasonably safe to use, even in Breastfeeding mothers which we are asked about all the time.
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This article is interesting in that it suggests that Lithium therapy may be linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's diseas and stroke.
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This recently published study from my laboratories shows that levels of Mesalamine (5-Aminosalicylic acid) in human milk are exceedingly low. Despite the dose, the relative infant doses in these 10 moms (RID) were all lower than 0.1%. Good news, moms can safely use these products for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
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Pediatric allergy to secondhand marijuana smoke
A six year old boy with severe asthma, which was not responding to treatment, was found to be allergic to secondhand marijuana smoke. He had daily symptoms of cough, shortness of breath and wheezing. It was discovered that some family members had started smoking marijuana in the house, although never in the same room as the boy.
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