The peculiarities of focal epilepsy in pregnant women

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the peculiarities of focal epilepsy in pregnant women.

Methods. 70 pregnant women with symptomatic focal epilepsy during the period from 2013 to 2017 were studied.

Results. The average age at the onset of epilepsy was 18.2±0.6 years. The average duration of epilepsy by the time of pregnancy was 6.6±0.7 years. 15 (21.4±4.9%) women remained seizure-free during pregnancy. Seizures during pregnancy were observed in 55 (78.6±4.9%) women: seizure frequency increased in 22 (31.4±5.5%) cases, decreased in 17 (24.3±5.1%), remained unchanged in 8 (11.4±3.8%), in 8 (11.4±3.8%) women the onset of epilepsy occurred during pregnancy. 72.7% of women who were seizure-free for 1 year prior to pregnancy remained seizure-free during pregnancy. In 21 (40.4%) of 52 women with epilepsy diagnosed prior to pregnancy and treated with antiepileptic drugs, the increase of seizure frequency was observed, which can be explained by non-compliance with the regimen and therapy and sleep deprivation in 15 (71.4%) of them. Generalized convulsive status epilepticus during pregnancy was observed in 1 (1.4±1.4%) woman after a sudden withdrawal of the antiepileptic drug.

Conclusion. The risk of seizures during pregnancy is lower in women who were seziure-free for 1 year prior to pregnancy; non-compliance with the regimen and therapy and sleep deprivation may lead to worsening of epilepsy during pregnancy.

Keywords

pregnancy / focal epilepsy / compliance

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Melikova S.Y.