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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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Le Guern V, Rossignol M, Lepercq J. [Indirect causes of maternal deaths (except stroke, cardiovascular diseases and infections) in France 2016-2018]. GYNECOLOGIE, OBSTETRIQUE, FERTILITE & SENOLOGIE 2024; 52:268-272. [PMID: 38373491 DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Maternal deaths from indirect obstetric cause result from a preexisting condition or a condition that occurred during pregnancy without obstetric causes but was aggravated by the physiological effects of pregnancy. Twenty-nine deaths with an indirect cause related to a preexisting condition, excluding circulatory diseases or infections, were analysed by the expert committee. Pre-pregnancy pathology was documented in 16 women (epilepsy, n=7; amyloid angiopathy, n=1; Dandy-Walker syndrome, n=1; autoimmune diseases, n=3; diffuse infiltrative pneumonitis, n=1; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, n=1; ovarian cancer in fragile X, n=1; major sickle cell disease, n=1). In 13 women, the pathology was unknown before pregnancy (breast cancer, n=9, epilepsy diagnosed during pregnancy, n=1, brain tumours, n=2 meningioma type, macrophagic activation syndrome, n=1). Death was associated with neoplastic or tumour pathology in 13 women (45%). At the same time, epilepsy was responsible for the death of 8 women (27%), making it the most common cause of death. For both neoplasia and epilepsy, about 50% of deaths were preventable, mainly due to undiagnosed and/or delayed treatment in the case of cancer and failure to monitor or adjust treatment in the case of epilepsy. Pre-conception counselling is therefore strongly recommended if a woman has a known chronic medical condition prior to pregnancy. Finally, if there is a family history of breast cancer, a breast examination is strongly recommended from the first visit during pregnancy, and any breast lumps should be investigated as soon as possible to avoid delaying appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Le Guern
- Médecine interne, centre de référence pour les maladies auto-immunes et systémiques rares d'Île de France, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, 27, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Mathias Rossignol
- Département d'anesthésie-réanimation, SMUR, hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75465 Paris, France
| | - Jacques Lepercq
- Service de gynécologie obstétrique, maternité Port Royal, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, 27, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
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Lee SK. Issues of Women with Epilepsy and Suitable Antiseizure Drugs. J Epilepsy Res 2023; 13:23-35. [PMID: 38223363 PMCID: PMC10783964 DOI: 10.14581/jer.23005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Seizure aggravation in women with epilepsy (WWE) tends to occur at two specific times during the menstrual cycle: the perimenstrual phase and the ovulation period. Antiseizure drugs (ASDs), especially those that induce enzymes, can accelerate the metabolism of hormones in oral contraceptives, rendering them less effective. Estrogen in contraceptive pills increases the metabolism of lamotrigine. Physiological changes during pregnancy can significantly impact the pharmacokinetics of ASDs, potentially necessitating adjustments in dosage for women with epilepsy to maintain seizure control. The use of valproate in pregnant women is associated with the highest risk of major congenital malformations among ASDs. Risks of major congenital malformations associated with lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and oxcarbazepine were within the range reported in the general population. Exposure to valproate can lead to lower IQ in offspring. Reduced folic acid levels are linked to orofacial clefts, cardiovascular malformations, and urogenital and limb anomalies in WWE. Decreased folate levels are expected with the use of enzyme-inducing ASDs. However, a high dose of folate was associated with an increased risk of cancer in children of mothers with epilepsy. Most ASDs are generally considered safe for breastfeeding and should be encouraged. However, no single ASD is considered ideal for childbearing WWE. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam are relatively more suitable options for this situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Kun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Khan M, Bankar NJ, Bandre GR, Dhobale AV, Bawaskar PA. Epilepsy and Issues Related to Reproductive Health. Cureus 2023; 15:e48201. [PMID: 38050507 PMCID: PMC10693679 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual disorders are prevalent and vary in men and women with epilepsy (WWE). Infertility and reproductive abnormalities are twice as common in females with epilepsy. Antiepileptic medications and seizures can both have an impact on sexual health in people with epilepsy. Seizures can alter the release of pituitary and hypothalamic hormones, and some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can alter sex steroid hormones (gonadal steroids and gonad corticoids). Females with epilepsy are more susceptible to menstrual cycle irregularity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Females and males had lower reproductive rates, and the causes are likely psychological and physiological, with epilepsy and AEDs again playing a role. Sexual disorders are common in WWE and men with epilepsy and can be caused by psychological, physical, or social factors. Specialists must address the gender-based biology of epilepsy and the impact of AEDs on sexual well-being to offer the best treatment possible for patients with epilepsy, particularly women of sexual maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muskan Khan
- Clinical Embryology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Nandkishor J Bankar
- Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Gulshan R Bandre
- Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Anupama V Dhobale
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Datta Meghe Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Pranita A Bawaskar
- Clinical Embryology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Domanski K, Allswede M. The criminalisation of women's healthcare in the post-Dobbs era: an analysis of the anti-abortion trigger law statutes. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2023; 28:258-262. [PMID: 37590051 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2023.2242546] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
On 24 June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organisation held that:'The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.'Since the ruling, thirteen states have enacted 'trigger laws' that restrict access to abortion except in specified circumstances, such as to save the life of the pregnant patient in a medical emergency. These laws not only inappropriately insert the State into the physician-patient relationship, but create an uncertain practice landscape for physicians by placing them at risk of criminal penalties. We illustrate the complexity of medical decision making for pregnant patients using examples from the case report literature, and discuss how leaving the definition of 'medical emergency' up to courts to decide will create a patchwork of restrictive and permissive standards that criminalises physicians and creates a 'political standard of care' that replaces evidence based medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Domanski
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Michael Allswede
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
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Ranjith S, Joshi A. Measures to Mitigate Sodium Valproate Use in Pregnant Women With Epilepsy. Cureus 2022; 14:e30144. [PMID: 36381886 PMCID: PMC9643024 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium valproate is a sodium salt of valproic acid. It is often used in the medical treatment of several conditions like epilepsy, bipolar disorder, mania, and migraines. This review debates whether the usage of valproic acid is appropriate in pregnancy. It also lists the various neonatal deformities and other teratogenic effects the said drug presents due to prenatal exposure to the drug and the implications of continuing drug therapy in certain situations. We should often weigh the outcomes and implement it only in conditions where its use is inevitable. It also includes the importance of awareness among middle-aged women with mental illness regarding the teratogenic effects of sodium valproate use and the relevance of discussion by physicians with patients regarding the usage of this drug despite being aware of the complications. It also explores other treatment options and modalities that can be used in the place of valproic acid for epilepsy and bipolar disorder in pregnant women and women of the reproductive age group, and how we can mitigate the usage of this drug by implementing various measures by referring to various guidelines present in different areas of the world. In summary, this article explores the numerous teratogenic effects sodium valproate presents in pregnancy, alternative medications, and treatment options instead of valproate. It also enumerates conditions where valproate use is necessary and how we can reduce and prevent the usage of valproate in pregnancy by opting for pregnancy prevention programs during valproate use and various other guidelines.
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Anheim M. Neurology and pregnancy: The delivery. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 177:166-167. [PMID: 33706970 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.02.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Anheim
- Service de neurologie, centre de référence neurogénétique, centre expert Parkinson, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Inserm-U964/CNRS-UMR7104/, institut de génétique et de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire (IGBMC), université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; Fédération de médecine translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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