Pregnant Women with Epilepsy: Management Issues

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders complicating pregnancy with a prevalence of 0.5-1%. Epilepsy seizures are characterized by paroxysmal cerebral dysrhythmias. Epilepsy in pregnancy (EIP) is challenging to both obstetricians and to neurologist. Pregnancy alters the natural history of epilepsy and seizure episodes are likely to worse. Obstetricians also face challenges of increased risk of teratogenicity while women on anti epilepsy drugs (AED). Epilepsy in pregnancy in Indian scenario also has both social and gender related issues. This review has been designed to address the management of women with epilepsy (WWE). Also, there will be particular stress on the recommendation regarding issues of pregnancy including antenatal and intrapartum care, preconceptional counselling and information regarding teratogenicity of AED and drug monitoring and its optimization.