Pregnancy and epilepsy: a retrospective study of 151 pregrancies

Sabers, Anne; A-Rogvi-Hansen, B; Dam, M.; Fischer-Rasmussen, Wiggó; Gram, Lennart; Hansen, Martin Hangaard; Moller, Ann Beth; Winkel, H.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1998.tb00631.x

Cited by 58 publications

(32 citation statements)

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“…Our study shows that there is no overall seizure frequency variation during pregnancy; this results agree with previous literature findings [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 95%

“…In most cases results of these studies indicate that seizure frequency remains unchanged, while an improvement or a deterioration, in the same percentage, is also observed [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. However, a number of methodological problems doesn't allow to consider these results definitive: the principal ones are the lack of a control group and a small sample size; furthermore, most of the studies compare pregnancy retrospectively with a pre-gestational baseline period, with a consequent less accuracy in seizures assessment; moreover, drug management during pregnancy of epilepsy is probably different from the period before pregnancy; finally, the majority of the studies are conducted in tertiary epileptic centers, which presumably manage highly selected patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Prospective, case–control study on the effect of pregnancy on seizure frequency in women with epilepsy

et al. 2014

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To evaluate if pregnancy induces a change in seizure frequency and in percentage of subjects remaining seizure-free. This is a prospective case-control study conducted in our tertiary epilepsy centre. Controls were matched 2:1 with the cases for relevant clinical parameters. Cases had to be referred to our centre for at least 9 months before-pregnancy, during pregnancy and the-9-months-after-birth. Controls were followed for the correspondent periods of time: named respectively control period 1-2-3. Seizure frequency was defined as "improved" if there was a 50 % of reduction, "worsened" if there was a 50 % of increase, and "unchanged" in the rest of cases. We recruited 36 cases and 72 controls [in both group mean age was 28 years, partial epilepsy (80.6 %), generalized epilepsy (19.4 %)]; 30 cases and 60 controls were seizure-free before pregnancy and in period 1, respectively. During pregnancy 72 % of cases remained "unchanged" while 8 and 19 % respectively "improved" and "worsened"; moreover, there was no statistical difference in the number of seizure-free patients and in the monthly seizure frequencies. No differences were found in controls. In this prospective case-control study, pregnancy does not affect seizure frequency in women with epilepsy.

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“…Our study shows that there is no overall seizure frequency variation during pregnancy; this results agree with previous literature findings [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Prospective, case–control study on the effect of pregnancy on seizure frequency in women with epilepsy

et al. 2014

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“…The percentages of patients with an increase in seizure frequency range from 14% to 32%. [71415] Factors that have been suggested to influence changes in seizure during pregnancy in an individual patient include altered disposition of AEDs, poor compliance with treatment, psychological stressors, and physiological and hormonal changes. [6161718] In addition, there is about 25% risk of getting a seizure during the pregnancy if the seizure-free period before pregnancy is 1 year and the risk decreases with the length of seizure freedom.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obstetric and birth outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy: A hospital-based study

Othman

Rahman

2013

Ann Indian Acad Neurol

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Introduction:In addition to changes in seizure frequency, pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) are at increased risk of complications during pregnancy or delivery. In the absence of a nationwide WWE registry, hospital-based studies may provide important information regarding current management and outcomes in these patients.Objectives:The aims of this study were to determine changes in seizure frequency, and pregnancy and birth outcomes among pregnant WWE.Materials and Methods:We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of pregnant patients with epilepsy, who obtained medical care (from 2006 to 2011) at one of the general hospitals in the North-Eastern State of Malaysia. Data were collected for seizure frequency before and during the pregnancy, concurrent medications, pregnancy complications, and neonatal outcomes.Results:We reviewed records of 25 patients with a total of 33 different pregnancies. All patients were treated with antiepileptic medications during their pregnancies, with 42% monotherapy and 58% polytherapy. Seizure frequency decreased in 5 (15.2%), increased in 18 (54.5%) and unchanged in 10 (30.3%) cases of pregnancies. Pregnancy complications were anemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation, premature rupture of membrane, and vaginal bleeding. Preterm deliveries were recorded in 11 (33.3%) infants.Conclusion:In our setting, many patients were being on polytherapy during their pregnancies. This underscores the need for planned pregnancies so that antiepileptic medications can be optimized prior to pregnancy.

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“…Although population based studies indicate that symptoms deteriorate in 15-30% of women, they improve in a similar proportion of women. [4][5][6][7] This could partly reflect random fluctuations. In a prospective international study of 1736 pregnancies, about 60% of women remained seizure free throughout pregnancy.…”

Section: Does Pregnancy Affect Epilepsy?mentioning

confidence: 99%