Abstract
Aim: Characteristically, the onset of bipolar disorder is the early adulthood and the first episode affects women of childbearing age. The studies indicate that 60-70 % of women with bipolar disorder experince mood symptoms during the periods of pregnancy and/or postpartum. The aim of the present study is to reveal the risk of bipolar disorder in pregnancy and the risk of bipolar disorder among pregnant women who had positive screening for prenatal depression.
Methods: The study involved 347 literate pregnant women between the ages of 18-50. All patients were screened with self-report scales of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ).
Results: Of the 347 women participating in the study, completed both scales. Of the participants, 52 (16.5%) EPDS scale was found to be positive while 27 (8.5%) MDQ scale was positive. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder was considered in 3 (%11.1) out of 27 individuals who had MDQ score of 7 or above by a clinical interview with SCID-I. The results also indicated that the probability of positive EPDS screening is significantly higher than negative screening in participants with positive MDQ screen (p<0.001).
Conclusion: As a result of the study, 8.5% of patients who referred to obstetric outpatient clinic in the perinatal period was found to have higher risk for bipolar disorder. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder was considered in 11.1% of patients of high risk group. EPDS was negative in 16 (5.1%) of 27 patients who were scanned with MDQ.

Key words: Bipolar disorder; pregnancy; prenatal period, mood disorders