The aetiology is unclear though a constitutional disposition certainly plays a role since a proportion of patients have a previous history, or a family history, of non-puerperal psychotic illness. Also, following a puerpural psychosis, patients have a increased risk of future psychotic illnesses, either puerperal or unrelated to childbirth.
An association with obstetric complications of delivery is not clear but caesarian section does seem to increase the risk. Primaparae and single women also have increased risk.
The risk of future puerperal psychosis is about 1:6 after one episode; about 1:3 after two.
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