Sarah:  Just a few comments.  First of all, lithium is on the AAP list of
contraindicated medications because it gets to the baby at somewhere
approaching 40-60% of maternal plasma levels.  I have no info on
risperdal (risperidone), as it is relatively new (don't have my copy Dr.
Hale's book handy, so don't know if he addresses it).  Ativan (lorazepam)
is a benzodiazepine anxiolytic which probably falls in the "use with
caution" category.  I believe it has a fairly short half-life.

What really stands out about this particular situation is the age of the
child (5 1/2 years) and the fact that this mother's problem was secondary
to steroids, which should mean that this is a relatively short-lived use
of meds.  After all, if the steroids have been stopped, the psychotic
reaction should be self-limited and the mother should not require these
medications for long unless there is really another psychiatric problem.
So if we're looking at a relatively short duration and an older child, it
seems not to be a major concern, IMO.  Alicia.  [log in to unmask]