PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Caring for a woman with epilepsy requires familiarity with the implications of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for pregnancy and contraception as well as an understanding of the effects of female hormones on epilepsy. RECENT FINDINGS: AED pregnancy registries and prospective studies of cognitive development continue to confirm that valproate poses a significantly increased risk of structural and cognitive teratogenesis. In contrast, data thus far suggest that lamotrigine and levetiracetam are associated with a relatively low risk for both anatomic and developmental adverse effects, although further studies are needed for these and other AEDs. The intrauterine device is a good contraceptive option for many women with epilepsy as it is highly effective and not subject to the drug-drug interactions seen between hormonal contraception and many AEDs. Hormonal-sensitive seizures are common among women with epilepsy; however, highly effective treatments for refractory catamenial seizures are limited. SUMMARY: Women with epilepsy should be counseled early and regularly about reproductive health as it relates to epilepsy. AED selection for women of childbearing age should take future pregnancies and contraceptive needs into consideration.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Caring for a woman with epilepsy requires familiarity with the implications of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for pregnancy and contraception as well as an understanding of the effects of female hormones on epilepsy. RECENT FINDINGS: AED pregnancy registries and prospective studies of cognitive development continue to confirm that valproate poses a significantly increased risk of structural and cognitive teratogenesis. In contrast, data thus far suggest that lamotrigine and levetiracetam are associated with a relatively low risk for both anatomic and developmental adverse effects, although further studies are needed for these and other AEDs. The intrauterine device is a good contraceptive option for many women with epilepsy as it is highly effective and not subject to the drug-drug interactions seen between hormonal contraception and many AEDs. Hormonal-sensitive seizures are common among women with epilepsy; however, highly effective treatments for refractory catamenial seizures are limited. SUMMARY: Women with epilepsy should be counseled early and regularly about reproductive health as it relates to epilepsy. AED selection for women of childbearing age should take future pregnancies and contraceptive needs into consideration.
Authors: Marte Helene Bjørk; Gyri Veiby; Simone C Reiter; Jan Øystein Berle; Anne Kjersti Daltveit; Olav Spigset; Bernt A Engelsen; Nils Erik Gilhus Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2014-12-19 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Ellen Mawhinney; John Craig; Jim Morrow; Aline Russell; W Henry Smithson; Linda Parsons; Patrick J Morrison; Brenda Liggan; Beth Irwin; Norman Delanty; Stephen J Hunt Journal: Neurology Date: 2013-01-09 Impact factor: 9.910
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: Elisabeth Synnøve Nilsen Husebye; Nils Erik Gilhus; Bettina Riedel; Olav Spigset; Anne Kjersti Daltveit; Marte Helene Bjørk Journal: Neurology Date: 2018-08-01 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo; Marieke C J Dekker; Richard Idro; Michel Ndahura Mandro; Pierre-Marie Preux; Alfred K Njamnshi; Robert Colebunders Journal: Infect Dis Poverty Date: 2019-02-10 Impact factor: 4.520
Authors: Kim Christian Danielsson; Nils Erik Gilhus; Ingrid Borthen; Rolv Terje Lie; Nils-Halvdan Morken Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-11-25 Impact factor: 3.240