Line Sveberg1, Sigrid Svalheim2, Erik Taubøll3. 1. Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. Electronic address: line.sveberg@ous-hf.no. 2. Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. 3. Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway; University of Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
PURPOSE AND METHODS: The treatment of women with epilepsy during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of teratogenic effects. Whether seizures during pregnancy have a deleterious effect on the developing child is difficult to determine, but recent animal studies, case studies, cohort studies and population studies have provided useful insights. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Seizures before pregnancy are a predictor for seizures during pregnancy, and catamenial epilepsy may also predict the course of seizures during pregnancy. A first epileptic seizure may also have implications for the pregnancy, depending on the seizure aetiology. Seizures affecting maternal awareness and responsiveness may have cardiac effects on the foetus and may impact on the weight of the newborn. Status epilepticus in pregnancy is rare, but isolated cases of perinatal death and malformations after status epilepticus have been reported in women on antiepileptic drugs. Seizures during delivery occur in about 2% of pregnancies of women with epilepsy, and case studies indicate that the foetal heart may be affected. However, a diagnosis of epilepsy is not an indication per se for caesarean delivery. A well-planned pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of seizures occurring.
PURPOSE AND METHODS: The treatment of women with epilepsy during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of teratogenic effects. Whether seizures during pregnancy have a deleterious effect on the developing child is difficult to determine, but recent animal studies, case studies, cohort studies and population studies have provided useful insights. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Seizures before pregnancy are a predictor for seizures during pregnancy, and catamenial epilepsy may also predict the course of seizures during pregnancy. A first epilepticseizure may also have implications for the pregnancy, depending on the seizure aetiology. Seizures affecting maternal awareness and responsiveness may have cardiac effects on the foetus and may impact on the weight of the newborn. Status epilepticus in pregnancy is rare, but isolated cases of perinatal death and malformations after status epilepticus have been reported in women on antiepileptic drugs. Seizures during delivery occur in about 2% of pregnancies of women with epilepsy, and case studies indicate that the foetal heart may be affected. However, a diagnosis of epilepsy is not an indication per se for caesarean delivery. A well-planned pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of seizures occurring.
Authors: Mesut Mete; Beyhan Gurcu; Fatih Collu; Ulkun Unlu Unsal; Yusuf Kurtulus Duransoy; Mehmet Ibrahim Tuglu; Mehmet Selcuki Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2016-07-29 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: John Allotey; Borja M Fernandez-Felix; Javier Zamora; Ngawai Moss; Manny Bagary; Andrew Kelso; Rehan Khan; Joris A M van der Post; Ben W Mol; Alexander M Pirie; Dougall McCorry; Khalid S Khan; Shakila Thangaratinam Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2019-05-13 Impact factor: 11.069