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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] [MESH Headings] [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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Rieder M, Belančić A. Past, present and future of drug safety: Editorial. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024; 90:1760-1762. [PMID: 38880969 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rieder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrej Belančić
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology with Toxicology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
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Perucca P, Bourikas D, Voinescu PE, Vadlamudi L, Chellun D, Kumke T, Werhahn KJ, Schmitz B. Lacosamide and pregnancy: Data from spontaneous and solicited reports. Epilepsia 2024; 65:1275-1284. [PMID: 38411300 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In pregnancy, it is important to balance the risks of uncontrolled epileptic seizures to the mother and fetus against the potential teratogenic effects of antiseizure medications. Data are limited on pregnancy outcomes among patients taking lacosamide (LCM), particularly when taken as monotherapy. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of LCM-exposed pregnancies. METHODS This analysis included all reports in the UCB Pharma pharmacovigilance database of exposure to LCM during pregnancy from spontaneous sources (routine clinical settings) or solicited reports from interventional clinical studies and noninterventional postmarketing studies. Prospective and retrospective reports were analyzed separately. RESULTS At the data cutoff (August 31, 2021), there were 202 prospective pregnancy cases with maternal exposure to LCM and known outcomes. Among these cases, 44 (21.8%) patients received LCM monotherapy and 158 (78.2%) received LCM polytherapy. Most patients received LCM during the first trimester (LCM monotherapy: 39 [88.6%]; LCM polytherapy: 143 [90.5%]). From the prospective pregnancy cases with maternal LCM exposure, there were 204 reported outcomes (two twin pregnancies occurred in the polytherapy group). The proportion of live births was 84.1% (37/44) in patients who received LCM as monotherapy, and 76.3% (122/160) for LCM polytherapy. The overall proportion of abortions (for any reason) was 15.9% (7/44) with LCM monotherapy, and 22.5% (36/160) with LCM polytherapy. Congenital malformations were reported in 2.3% (1/44) of known pregnancy outcomes with maternal exposure to LCM monotherapy, and 6.9% (11/160) with polytherapy. SIGNIFICANCE Our preliminary data do not raise major concerns on the use of LCM during pregnancy. Most pregnancies with LCM exposure resulted in healthy live births, and no new safety issues were identified. These findings should be interpreted with caution, as additional data are needed to fully evaluate the safety profile of LCM in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Perucca
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - P Emanuela Voinescu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lata Vadlamudi
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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Meador KJ. Risks of Fetal Exposure to Topiramate. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:1141-1142. [PMID: 38507757 DOI: 10.1056/nejme2401164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimford J Meador
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
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Christensen J, Zoega H, Leinonen MK, Gilhus NE, Gissler M, Igland J, Sun Y, Tomson T, Alvestad S, Bjørk MH, Dreier JW. Prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications and fetal growth: a population-based cohort study from the Nordic countries. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2024; 38:100849. [PMID: 38476755 PMCID: PMC10928302 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Background The short- and long-term consequences of restricted fetal growth cause considerable concern, and how prenatal exposure to different antiseizure medications (ASMs) affects fetal growth remains uncertain. Methods This was a population-based cohort study of liveborn singleton children born in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden from 1996 to 2017. Prenatal exposure was defined as maternal filling of prescriptions for ASM during pregnancy registered in national prescription registries and primary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of microcephaly or being born small for gestational age. Findings We identified 4,494,918 children (males: 51.3%, 2,306,991/4,494,918), including 38,714 (0.9%) children of mothers with epilepsy. In the overall population, prenatal monotherapy exposure with carbamazepine (aOR: 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12-1.40)), pregabalin (aOR: 1.16 (95% CI: 1.02-1.31)), oxcarbazepine (aOR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.28-1.71)), clonazepam (aOR: 1.27 (95% CI: 1.10-1.48)), and topiramate (aOR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.18-1.85)) was associated with risk of being born small for gestational age, and carbamazepine was associated with microcephaly (aOR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.17-1.75)). In children of mothers with epilepsy, prenatal exposure to carbamazepine (aOR: 1.27 (95% CI: 1.11-1.47)), oxcarbazepine (aOR: 1.42 (95% CI: 1.18-1.70)), clonazepam (aOR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.03-1.89)), and topiramate (aOR: 1.86 (95% CI: 1.36-2.54)) was associated with being born small for gestational age; carbamazepine, with microcephaly (aOR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.17-1.95)). No associations with small for gestational age and microcephaly were identified after prenatal exposure to lamotrigine, valproate, gabapentin, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, acetazolamide, phenytoin, clobazam, primidone, zonisamide, vigabatrin, ethosuximide and lacosamide, but except for lamotrigine, valproate, gabapentin, and levetiracetam, numbers of exposed children were small. Interpretation Prenatal exposure to carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, clonazepam, and topiramate was associated with increased risk of being born small for gestational age in both the overall population and in children of women with epilepsy suggesting that prenatal exposure to these drugs is associated with fetal growth restriction. Funding The NordForsk Nordic Program on Health and Welfare (83539), the Independent Research Fund Denmark (1133-00026B), the Danish Epilepsy Association, the Central Denmark Region, the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF16OC0019126 and NNF22OC0075033), and the Lundbeck Foundation (R400-2022-1205).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Christensen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Member of the European Reference Network EpiCARE, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Helga Zoega
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maarit K. Leinonen
- Department of Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nils Erik Gilhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mika Gissler
- Department of Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Region Stockholm, Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jannicke Igland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Yuelian Sun
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silje Alvestad
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- National Center for Epilepsy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marte-Helene Bjørk
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Julie Werenberg Dreier
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, CIRRAU, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- National Centre for Register-based Research, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Hoeltzenbein M, Bartz I, Fietz AK, Lohse L, Onken M, Dathe K, Schaefer C. Antiepileptic treatment with levetiracetam during the first trimester and pregnancy outcome: An observational study. Epilepsia 2024; 65:26-36. [PMID: 37857460 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17800] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Levetiracetam is increasingly used in pregnant women with epilepsy. Although teratogenic effects have not been observed so far, data on the risks of spontaneous abortion and major birth defects are still limited, especially for the frequently used dual therapy of levetiracetam and lamotrigine. Our primary aim was to analyze rates of major birth defects and spontaneous abortion after maternal levetiracetam treatment. METHODS This was a cohort study based on pregnancies recorded by the Embryotox Center from 2000 to 2017. Outcomes of prospectively ascertained pregnancies with first trimester levetiracetam monotherapy (n = 221) were compared to pregnancies with lamotrigine monotherapy for epilepsy (n = 469). In addition, all pregnancies with levetiracetam (n = 364) exposure during the first trimester were analyzed in comparison to a nonexposed cohort (n = 729). Pregnancies with the most frequently used combination therapy comprising levetiracetam and lamotrigine (n = 80) were evaluated separately. RESULTS There was no significantly increased risk of major birth defects or of spontaneous abortions after first trimester exposure to levetiracetam. Birth weight of male neonates was significantly lower after levetiracetam monotherapy compared to lamotrigine monotherapy. Dual therapy with levetiracetam and lamotrigine resulted in a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43-6.33) and a nonsignificant effect estimate for major birth defects (7.7%, n = 5/65, adjusted odds ratio = 1.47, 95% CI = .48-4.47) compared to a nonexposed cohort. SIGNIFICANCE Our study confirms the use of levetiracetam as a suitable antiepileptic drug in pregnancy. The lower birth weight of male neonates after maternal levetiracetam monotherapy and the unexpectedly high risk of spontaneous abortion and birth defects after dual therapy with levetiracetam and lamotrigine require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hoeltzenbein
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Insa Bartz
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Fietz
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Lohse
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marlies Onken
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katarina Dathe
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof Schaefer
- Embryotox Center of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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