BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of women with epilepsy investigated prior to or during pregnancy. PATIENTS: One hundred eighteen women (median age 28.9 years) with idiopathic (n=43), cryptogenic (n=41), or symptomatic (n=29) epilepsy and appearing for special pregnancy planning advice at a German epileptology clinic were evaluated. All patients were investigated between 2002 and 2007. FINDINGS: Of the study patients, 69 were seen prior to pregnancy, 41 (59.4%) were on monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AED), and 22 (31.9%) were already on folic acid supplementation. A change in AED medication was recommended in 50 (72.5%). Ninety-three of the patients were seen during pregnancy, most often during the first trimenon (n=44). Fifty-one (55%) were on AED monotherapy, most often with lamotrigine (n=24) or valproate (n=13). During pregnancy, seizure frequency increased in 33 women (35.5%) and decreased in 14 (15%). CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with AED should be established if possible, and folic acid supplementation should be started prior to pregnancy.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of women with epilepsy investigated prior to or during pregnancy. PATIENTS: One hundred eighteen women (median age 28.9 years) with idiopathic (n=43), cryptogenic (n=41), or symptomatic (n=29) epilepsy and appearing for special pregnancy planning advice at a German epileptology clinic were evaluated. All patients were investigated between 2002 and 2007. FINDINGS: Of the study patients, 69 were seen prior to pregnancy, 41 (59.4%) were on monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AED), and 22 (31.9%) were already on folic acid supplementation. A change in AED medication was recommended in 50 (72.5%). Ninety-three of the patients were seen during pregnancy, most often during the first trimenon (n=44). Fifty-one (55%) were on AED monotherapy, most often with lamotrigine (n=24) or valproate (n=13). During pregnancy, seizure frequency increased in 33 women (35.5%) and decreased in 14 (15%). CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with AED should be established if possible, and folic acid supplementation should be started prior to pregnancy.
Authors: J Morrow; A Russell; E Guthrie; L Parsons; I Robertson; R Waddell; B Irwin; R C McGivern; P J Morrison; J Craig Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2005-09-12 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: R J Berry; Z Li; J D Erickson; S Li; C A Moore; H Wang; J Mulinare; P Zhao; L Y Wong; J Gindler; S X Hong; A Correa Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1999-11-11 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: G-J de Haan; P Edelbroek; J Segers; M Engelsman; D Lindhout; M Dévilé-Notschaele; P Augustijn Journal: Neurology Date: 2004-08-10 Impact factor: 9.910