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Kuang H, Li Y, Lu Y, Zhang L, Wei L, Wu Y. Reproductive and fetal outcomes in women with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2351196. [PMID: 38735863 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2351196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although early evidence shows that epilepsy can increase the risks of adverse pregnancy, some outcomes are still debatable. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effects of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were employed to collect studies that investigated the potential risk of obstetric complications during the antenatal, intrapartum, or postnatal period, as well as any neonatal complications. The search was conducted from inception to November 16, 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included original studies. The odds ratio (OR) values were extracted after adjusting for confounders to measure the relationship between pregnant women with epilepsy and adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The protocol for this systematic review is registered with PROSPERO ID CRD42023391539. RESULTS Of 35 articles identified, there were 142,577 mothers with epilepsy and 34,381,373 mothers without epilepsy. Our study revealed a significant association between pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE) and the incidence of cesarean section, preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational hypertension, induction of labor, gestational diabetes and postpartum hemorrhage compared with those without epilepsy. Regarding newborns outcomes, PWWE versus those without epilepsy had increased odds of preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight (<2500 g), and congenital malformations, fetal distress. The odds of operative vaginal delivery, newborn mortality, and Apgar (≤ 7) were similar between PWWE and healthy women. CONCLUSION Pregnant women affected by epilepsy encounter a higher risk of adverse obstetric outcomes and fetal complications. Therefore, it is crucial to develop appropriate prevention and intervention strategies prior to or during pregnancy to minimize the negative impacts of epilepsy on maternal and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Kuang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yixun Li
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi International Zhuang Medical Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yuling Lu
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lei Wei
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Zeytin Demiral G, Betaş Akın S, Kayacık Günday Ö, Şahbaz FG, Türk Börü Ü. Maternal and fetal outcomes of antiepileptic treatments during pregnancy: A retrospective study. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 158:109937. [PMID: 39002279 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is a disease that affects a significant proportion of the female population worldwide. The management of anti-seizure medications during pregnancy and the potential adverse outcomes to both the mother and fetus represent a significant challenge. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of anti-seizure medications during pregnancy by comparing maternal and fetal outcomes between pregnant women with and without epilepsy. METHODS A total of 242 participants were analysed, including 112 with epilepsy and 130 healthy pregnant controls. Maternal age, medical history, seizure characteristics, use of anti-seizure medications, and pregnancy history were recorded. Maternal and fetal complications, delivery modes, and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 242 patients, including 112 (46.3 %) pregnant women with epilepsy and 130 (53.7 %) healthy pregnant women, were included in the study. Among pregnant patients with epilepsy, 4 (3.5 %) did not use anti-seizure medications, 79 (70.5 %) received monotherapy, and 29 (25.8 %) received polytherapy. The rates of pregnancy termination, spontaneous abortion, and maternal and fetal complications were significantly higher in pregnant women with epilepsy (p = 0.045, p = 0.045, p < 0.001, and p = 0.016, respectively). Folic acid use, planned pregnancy rate and postpartum breastfeeding rate were all statistically lower in pregnant women with epilepsy (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The rates of intensive care unit stay, infants with birth weight less than 2500 g, congenital malformations, and preterm births were significantly higher in babies born to pregnant women with epilepsy (p < 0.001, p = 0.047, p = 0.003, and p = 0.051, respectively). Gestational diabetes mellitus was observed in 4 (13.8 %) and congenital malformations in 4 (14.3 %) of the pregnant women with epilepsy who received polytherapy, and in both cases these rates were statistically higher than those of pregnant women with epilepsy who received monotherapy (p = 0.048 and p = 0.004, respectively). DISCUSSION This study demonstrated that pregnancies among women affected by epilepsy have significantly higher rates of maternal and fetal complications, spontaneous abortions, and premature births. Polytherapy with anti-seizure medications is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes and congenital anomalies. Notably, folic acid use, planned pregnancy, and postpartum breastfeeding were less common in patients with epilepsy. The most commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications were levetiracetam and lamotrigine. Caesarean section is a common mode of delivery in pregnancies of mothers with epilepsy. CONCLUSION These results suggest that epilepsy increases both maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy. Furthermore, the use of anti-seizure medications appears to have a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes. Our findings highlight the need for comprehensive management strategies and informed decision making to reduce risks and optimise maternal and fetal outcomes among women with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökçe Zeytin Demiral
- Afyonkarahisar University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zafer Health Complex Dortyol Mah. 2078 Street, No: 3, Block A, Pk. 03030, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | - Selin Betaş Akın
- Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Department of Neurology, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Özlem Kayacık Günday
- Afyonkarahisar University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Fatma Gülhan Şahbaz
- Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Department of Neurology, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Ülkü Türk Börü
- Afyonkarahisar University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zafer Health Complex Dortyol Mah. 2078 Street, No: 3, Block A, Pk. 03030, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
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Mesraoua B, Brigo F, Lattanzi S, Perucca E, Ali M, Asadi-Pooya AA. Safe delivery, perinatal outcomes and breastfeeding in women with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 156:109827. [PMID: 38759429 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Safe delivery and optimal peripartum and postpartum care in women with epilepsy (WWE) is a major concern which has received limited attention in recent years. A diagnosis of epilepsy per se is not an indication for a planned cesarean section or induction of labor, even though epidemiological studies indicate that cesarean delivery is more common among WWE compared to the general population. Pregnancy in WWE is associated with an increased risk of obstetrical complications and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality, and these risks may be greater among WWE taking ASMs. Wherever feasible, pregnant WWE should be directed to specialist care. Risk minimization includes, when appropriate, dose adjustment to compensate for pregnancy-related changes in the pharmacokinetics of some ASMs. With respect to postpartum management, WWE should be advised that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the small risk of adverse drug reactions in the infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boulenouar Mesraoua
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Research Area Innovation, Research and Teaching Service (SABES- ASDAA), Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, and Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Musab Ali
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Mazzone PP. Errors in Tables in Systematic Review of Perinatal Outcomes for Women With and Without Epilepsy. JAMA Neurol 2024; 81:662. [PMID: 38683624 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.0946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
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Errors in Tables 2 and 3. JAMA Neurol 2024; 81:663. [PMID: 38683563 PMCID: PMC11059052 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.1248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
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Hughes A, Weckesser A, Denny E, Junaid F, Nelson-Piercy C, Black M, Allotey J, Thangaratinam S, Dyson J. Barriers and facilitators to healthcare practitioners providing care for pregnant women with epilepsy: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Seizure 2024; 118:38-46. [PMID: 38631244 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Hughes
- Centre for Social, Health and Related Research, Birmingham City University, Ravensbury Building, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TN, United Kingdom
| | - Annalise Weckesser
- Centre for Social, Health and Related Research, Birmingham City University, Ravensbury Building, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TN, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Denny
- Centre for Social, Health and Related Research, Birmingham City University, Ravensbury Building, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TN, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Junaid
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mairead Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - John Allotey
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Shakila Thangaratinam
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Centre (BRC), University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Dyson
- Centre for Social, Health and Related Research, Birmingham City University, Ravensbury Building, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TN, United Kingdom.
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Mazzone PP, Hogg KM, Weir CJ, Stephen J, Bhattacharya S, Richer S, Chin RFM. Comparison of neurodevelopmental, educational and adult socioeconomic outcomes in offspring of women with and without epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Seizure 2024; 117:213-221. [PMID: 38484631 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adequate pre-pregnancy counselling and education planning are essential to improve outcomes for offspring of women with epilepsy (OWWE). The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare outcomes for OWWE and offspring of women without epilepsy (OWWoE). METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO (database inception-1st January 2023), OpenGrey, GoogleScholar, and hand-searched journals and reference lists of included studies to identify eligible studies. We placed no language restrictions and included observational studies concerning OWWE and OWWoE. We followed the PRIMSA checklist for abstracting data. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for risk of bias assessment was conducted independently by two authors with mediation by a third. We report pooled unadjusted odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95CI) from random (I2>50%) or fixed (I2<50%) effects meta-analyses. Outcomes of interest included offspring autism, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, intellectual disability, epilepsy, developmental disorder, intelligence, educational, and adulthood socioeconomic outcomes. RESULTS Of 10,928 articles identified, we included 21 in meta-analyses. OWWE had increased odds of autism (2 articles, 4,502,098 offspring) OR [95CI] 1·67 [1·54, 1·82], attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (3 articles, 957,581 offspring) 1·59 [1·44, 1·76], intellectual disability (2 articles, 4,501,786 children) 2·37 [2·13, 2·65], having special educational needs (3 articles, 1,308,919 children) 2·60 [1·07, 6·34]. OWWE had worse mean scores for full-scale intelligence (5 articles, 989 children) -6·05 [-10·31, -1·79]. No studies were identified that investigated adulthood socioeconomic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Increased odds of poor outcomes are higher with greater anti-seizure medication burden including neurodevelopmental and educational outcomes. In fact, these two outcomes seem to be worse in OWWE compared to OWWoE, even if there was no ASM exposure during pregnancy, but further work is needed to take into account potential confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Pierino Mazzone
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Child Life and Health, Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Christopher J Weir
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Stephen
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sohinee Bhattacharya
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, The Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Richer
- The University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard F M Chin
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Child Life and Health, Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Vajda FJE, O'Brien TJ, Graham JE, Hitchcock AE, Perucca P, Lander CM, Eadie MJ. Pregnancy, antiseizure medications and unexplained intrauterine foetal death. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 153:109724. [PMID: 38442517 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the role of antiseizure medication (ASM) regimens and other factors in relation to the occurrence of intrauterine foetal death (IUFD) in pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) enrolled in the Raoul Wallenberg Australian Pregnancy Register of Antiepileptic Drugs (APR). RESULTS IUFDs occurred in 70 (3.01 %) of 2,323 prospective pregnancies from WWE with known outcomes in the APR. Factors associated with IUFD occurrence included older maternal age, enrolment in the APR at an earlier stage of pregnancy, history of pregnancies which did not result in livebirths, parental history of foetal malformations, and maternal use of carbamazepine, lamotrigine or ethosuximide. Individual ASM dosages were not associated with IUFD occurrence. Relative to no exposure, the risk of IUFD increased with the increasing number of ASMs used in combination (2 ASMs: relative risk, RR = 5.45 [95 % CI: 0.73-41.80]; 3 ASMs: RR = 10.70 [95 % CI: 1.27-90.17]), >3 ASMs: RR = 10.70 [95 % CI: 1.27-90.17]), but this finding was attenuated after adjusting for other factors implicated in IUFD occurrence. Several ASM pairs were associated with an increased risk of IUFD relative to no exposure, but these associations were lost after accounting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Although it is possible that prenatal ASM exposure may increase the risk of IUFD, other non-pharmacological factors are more relevant to the occurrence to IUFD in pregnant WWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank J E Vajda
- Departments of Medicine and Neurosciences, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Janet E Graham
- Departments of Medicine and Neurosciences, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
| | - Alison E Hitchcock
- Departments of Medicine and Neurosciences, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
| | - Piero Perucca
- Departments of Medicine and Neurosciences, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
| | - Cecilie M Lander
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4027, Australia.
| | - Mervyn J Eadie
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4027, Australia.
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Thornton HF, Fantaneanu TA, Zhang T, Bercovici E, Hrazdil C, Ikeda KM, Kassiri J, Suller Marti A, Pana R, Rezazadeh A, Kobayashi E, Bui E. Real-world practices in reproductive health and counselling for women with epilepsy: A Canadian perspective. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 151:109623. [PMID: 38262329 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Canadian women of reproductive potential living with epilepsy present unique care challenges due to the complex interplay of hormones, seizures, and medications. This study explores reproductive health practices and counselling for women with epilepsy. Through a questionnaire developed by the Canadian League Against Epilepsy women with epilepsy (WWE) workgroup, we are the first to report demographic and real-world practice characteristics of Canadian healthcare professionals providing care for WWE with specific focus on family planning, birth plans, and postpartum care counselling. Among respondents, 76.9% routinely reviewed contraception with patients and an intrauterine device (IUD) was the most popular recommended method (85.3%). With regards to preconception planning, 50% of respondents routinely had a preconception drug level prior to pregnancy. A significant proportion, 44.9%, reported not communicating a neurology-informed birth plan to obstetrical health practitioners. The majority recommended breastfeeding for WWE on anti-seizure medications (92.3%) and regularly provided safety counselling for women in the postpartum period (84.6%). Overall, our study demonstrates that Canadian practice patterns conform reasonably well to existing evidence and guidelines, although important gaps in care exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley F Thornton
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Tadeu A Fantaneanu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Tinghua Zhang
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eduard Bercovici
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Chantelle Hrazdil
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Kristin M Ikeda
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health, Canada.
| | - Janani Kassiri
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Ana Suller Marti
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Raluca Pana
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Arezoo Rezazadeh
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eliane Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Esther Bui
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Tomson T, Sha L, Chen L. Management of epilepsy in pregnancy: What we still need to learn. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2023; 24:100624. [PMID: 37867487 PMCID: PMC10585340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2023.100624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe pregnancies have been a major concern for women with epilepsy. With more than 50 years of research, we have learned that antiseizure medications (ASMs) differ in their teratogenic risk. Valproate is associated with greater risks for malformations and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes than other ASMs. Furthermore, seizure control is important for maternal health in pregnancy and it can be affected by a decline in serum concentrations of many ASMs during pregnancy. However, significant knowledge gaps remain. First, there is insufficient evidence about the relative teratogenic risks of most newer generation ASMs, as well as diverse ASM combinations. Similarly, information on gestation-induced changes in maternal serum levels and transfer into breastmilk is inadequate for the majority of the newer ASMs. Further, the optimal dose of folate supplementation remains unknown for women with epilepsy. Finally, most of previous studies on epilepsy and pregnancy come from Europe or North America. Efforts should be made to include more countries in collaboration with existing prospective epilepsy and pregnancy studies to increase the cohort size while at the same time enhancing the generalizability of the results. Large countries, such as China, present great potential to shorten the time to obtain answers to important unsolved questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leihao Sha
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan
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