Community-based, prospective, controlled study of obstetric and neonatal outcome of 179 pregnancies in women with epilepsy

Obstetrical Outcomes of Patients with Epilepsy in a Canadian Tertiary Care Center (2014-2020)

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on the obstetrical outcomes of Canadian pregnant patients with epilepsy, which may differ from the average Canadian pregnancy and from other populations of pregnant patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

Pregnant patients with epilepsy were identified from a prospectively collected database of patients seen at the maternal-fetal medicine obstetrics program of Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Canada) between January 1, 2014, and November 20, 2020. Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcome data were retrieved from this database and described using 95% binomial confidence intervals. Comparisons of obstetrical outcomes over the same period among the Canadian population average, obtained from publicly available national health data, were done using one-proportion Z-tests for nominal variables and one-sample t-tests for continuous variables.

RESULTS

In total, 282 pregnancies, from 224 patients, were included, which resulted in 274 live births. Mean maternal age was 32.8 years (s.d. = 4.6; population average [μ] = 30.9; p < 0.01), and 53% were primiparous (CI95% = 49%-61%; μ = 43%; p < 0.01). The observed rates of obstetrical complications were gestational hypertension 9% (CI95%=6%-13%; μ=7%; p=0.19), gestational diabetes 5% (CI95% = 3%-8%; μ = 9%; p = 0.02), cesarean section 44% (CI95% = 38%-50%; μ = 28%; p < 0.01), postpartum hemorrhage 5% (CI95% = 3%-8%; μ = 0.5%; p < 0.01), stillbirth 1% (CI95% = 0%-2%; μ=1%; p > 0.99), and prematurity 9% (CI95% = 6%-13%; μ = 8%; p = 0.44).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of Canadian pregnant patients with epilepsy from an urban tertiary care center, observed rates of obstetrical complications were rare and no higher than in the Canadian population over the same period, with the exception of cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage. Future prospective studies that include primary care and rural settings are needed to increase the generalizability of those results.

Clinical characteristics, seizure control, and delivery outcomes in pregnant women with focal and generalized epilepsies

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively investigate the course of epilepsy and assess seizure control during pregnancy in women with focal epilepsy (FE) compared with generalized epilepsy (GE), to ascertain the effects of epilepsy and its types on delivery and neonatal outcomes, and to compare adverse outcomes between pregnancies complicated by epilepsy and normal pregnancies.

METHODS

124 pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) were enrolled in a prospective study. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared with those of 277 healthy women in the control group.

RESULTS

Occurrence of seizures during pregnancy was more often in FE (77.1 %) compared with GE (50.0 %) (Odds ratio [OR] 2.08; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.97-4.46, p = 0.06); the overall seizure freedom was significantly higher in women with GE compared with women with FE (p = 0.0038). Poor seizure control one year prior to the pregnancy and nonadherence to treatment were significantly associated with presence of seizures during pregnancy (p < 0.0001). Compared with pregnancies of women without epilepsy, WWE were at increased risk of cesarean section (CS) (p < 0.0001) and preterm birth (p = 0.03). Offspring of mothers with epilepsy were at higher risks of Apgar scores at 5 min ≤7 (p < 0.0001) and perinatal hypoxia (p = 0.03) compared with infants of unaffected women. Seizures during pregnancy were significantly correlated with the higher rate of CS, Apgar scores at 5 min ≤7, and perinatal hypoxia (p = 0.0069; p = 0.0098; and p = 0.0045, respectively). The risks of adverse outcomes were not significantly increased in women with FE compared to women with GE.

CONCLUSION

Epileptic seizures in pregnancy are associated with increased risks of adverse delivery and neonatal outcomes. Hence, early assessment of seizure disorder, adequate seizure control prior to and during pregnancy, and effective treatment are required to prevent potential seizure-related complications and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes, antiseizure medication profile, and seizure types in pregnant women in a vulnerability state from Brazil

This retrospective cohort study described the obstetric and neonatal outcomes, antiseizure medication (ASM) use, and types of seizures in pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE). Data collected from the medical records of 224 PWWE aged < 40 years with controlled or refractory seizures and 492 pregnant women without epilepsy (PWNE) control group from high-risk maternity hospitals in Alagoas between 2008 and 2021 were included in this study. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes observed in PWWE were pregnancy-related hypertension (PrH) (18.4%), oligohydramnios (10.3%), stillbirth (6.4%), vaginal bleeding (6%), preeclampsia (4.7%), and polyhydramnios (3%). There was a greater likelihood of PrH in PWWE with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and that of maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in those with GTCS and status epilepticus, and phenytoin and lamotrigine use. PWWE with GTCS had a higher risk of stillbirth and premature delivery. PWWE with status epilepticus were treated with lamotrigine. Phenobarbital (PB) with diazepam were commonly used in GTCS and status epilepticus. Total 14% patients did not use ASM, while 50.2% used monotherapy and 35.8% used polytherapy. Total 60.9% of patients used PB and 25.2% used carbamazepine. This study described the association between the adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes and severe seizure types in PWWE.

Electroconvulsive therapy for super refractory status epilepticus in pregnancy: case report and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

We aim to describe use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) in pregnancy and review the literature regarding utility and safety of ECT in refractory status epilepticus.

BACKGROUND

Status epilepticus (SE) is a commonly encountered emergency in neuro-critical care world. Pharmacotherapy of status epilepticus in pregnancy is very challenging given the effect of the majority of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on fetal development. Although there has been growing evidence for use of ECT in status epilepticus, data about its utility in pregnancy is lacking.

DESIGN/METHOD

A twenty-one year old Caucasian female with history of epilepsy presented at 8 weeks of gestation as status epilepticus (SE) after abrupt discontinuation of her AEDs. Treatment was initiated with standard regimen of benzodiazepine and levetiracetam, which was progressively expanded to include approximately 10 anti-epileptic drugs over the course of 30 days. The status epilepticus was super refractory to sedation. She underwent ECT on day 31 with remarkable improvement in electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern and resolution of status epilepticus following a single ECT session. We reviewed PubMed and collated case reports involving the use of ECT in status epilepticus with emphasis on differences in various confounding factors esp. etiology of status and age group.

CONCLUSION

Our case is the first reported case of ECT for successful treatment of SRSE in pregnancy. While majority AEDs pose a significant maternal and fetal risk during pregnancy, ECT could be a potential frontline therapy for SE in pregnancy.

Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome: A Case Report

Epilepsy is not a common cause of morbidity in pregnancy. It has widespread effects on maternal and fetal health necessitating adequate control of seizures. Many anti-seizure medications (ASM) have teratogenic effects on the fetus. We report a case of severe fetal hydantoin syndrome resulting in life-threatening major congenital anomalies. The mother was on phenytoin for the last three years and the pregnancy was not registered. We discuss various features of fetal hydantoin syndrome and the ideal management of epilepsy in pregnancy in brief.

[Guidelines for the management of adverse effects of anti-seizure medications (2023)]

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder with a complex etiology and an unclear pathogenesis. In order to standardize the management of adverse effects caused by anti-seizure medications (ASMs), the Youth Committee of the Chinese Association Against Epilepsy (CAAE), in collaboration with the CAAE Precision Medicines and Adverse Effect Monitoring Committee, has developed a guideline: guidelines for the management of adverse effects of anti-seizure medications (2023). This guideline addresses 13 clinical questions related to the management of adverse effects of ASMs in the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and fetus. Its primary objective is to provide guidance to medical professionals specializing in pediatric neurology, neurology, and neurosurgery in China, and to facilitate their clinical practice.

Management of epilepsy during pregnancy and lactation

Epilepsy is a group of neurological diseases characterized by susceptibility to recurrent seizures. Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are the mainstay of treatment, but many antiseizure medications with variable safety profiles have been approved for use. For women with epilepsy in their childbearing years, the safety profile is important for them and their unborn children, because treatment is often required to protect them from seizures during pregnancy and lactation. Since no large randomized controlled trials have investigated safety in this subgroup of people with epilepsy, pregnancy registries, cohort and case-control studies from population registries, and a few large prospective cohort studies have played an important role. Valproate, in monotherapy and polytherapy, has been associated with elevated risk of major congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to mothers who took it. Topiramate and phenobarbital are also associated with elevated risks of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, though the risks are lower than those of valproate. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam are relatively safe. Insufficient data exist to reach strong conclusions about the newest antiseizure medications such as eslicarbazepine, perampanel, brivaracetam, cannabidiol, and cenobamate. Besides antiseizure medications, other treatments such as vagal nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, and deep brain stimulation are likely safe. In general, breastfeeding does not appear to add any additional long term risks to the child. Creative ways of optimizing registry enrollment and data collection are needed to enhance patient safety.

Comparison of Perinatal Outcomes for Women With and Without Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Pregnant women who have epilepsy need adequate engagement, information, and pregnancy planning and management to improve pregnancy outcomes.

Objective

To investigate perinatal outcomes in women with epilepsy compared with women without epilepsy.

Data Sources

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched with no language or date restrictions (database inception through December 6, 2022). Searches also included OpenGrey and Google Scholar and manual searching in journals and reference lists of included studies.

Study Selection

All observational studies comparing women with and without epilepsy were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The PRISMA checklist was used for abstracting data and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for risk-of-bias assessment. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment were done independently by 2 authors with mediation conducted independently by a third author. Pooled unadjusted odds ratios (OR) or mean differences were reported with 95% CI from random-effects (I2 heterogeneity statistic >50%) or fixed-effects (I2 < 50%) meta-analyses.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications.

Results

Of 8313 articles identified, 76 were included in the meta-analyses. Women with epilepsy had increased odds of miscarriage (12 articles, 25 478 pregnancies; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15-2.29), stillbirth (20 articles, 28 134 229 pregnancies; OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.29-1.47), preterm birth (37 articles, 29 268 866 pregnancies; OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.32-1.51) and maternal death (4 articles, 23 288 083 pregnancies; OR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.38-18.04). Neonates born to women with epilepsy had increased odds of congenital conditions (29 articles, 24 238 334 pregnancies; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.66-2.12), neonatal intensive care unit admission (8 articles, 1 204 428 pregnancies; OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.58-2.51), and neonatal or infant death (13 articles, 1 426 692 pregnancies; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.56-2.24). The increased odds of poor outcomes was increased with greater use of antiseizure medication.

Conclusions and Relevance

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that women with epilepsy have worse perinatal outcomes compared with women without epilepsy. Women with epilepsy should receive pregnancy counseling from an epilepsy specialist who can also optimize their antiseizure medication regimen before and during pregnancy.

Seizure medication and planned pregnancy: balancing the risks and outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The therapeutic management of women with epilepsy (WWE) of childbearing age can be complicated by the need to balance maternal/fetal risks related to seizure occurrence during gestation with the potential teratogenic risks related to the use of anti-seizure medications (ASMs).

AREAS COVERED

The authors review clinical evidence on seizure-related and ASM-related risks during pregnancy. Current regulatory indications are discussed, evaluating their impact on clinical practice, and ethical implications of pharmacological decisions are debated.

EXPERT OPINION

If properly informed about the maternal/fetal risks carried by different pharmacological choices, WWE can become the final decision makers regarding their care in every phase of their life. Over the coming years, analysis of aggregated pregnancy registry data on the structural impact, on the fetus, of low doses of valproate and of newer ASMs, together with analysis of the main population study data on functional (cognitive and behavioral) outcomes, could lead to huge advances, making choosing an ASM a less complex process for the clinician and a less painful decision for the woman. Future objectives should include identification of the potential role of the pharmacogenomic profile of WWE in determining the risk of fetal malformations.

The Rate of and Factors Associated with Delivery by Caesarean Section among Women with Epilepsy: Time Trend in a Single-Centre Cohort in Mazovia, Poland

Data from literature suggest that the rate of caesarean section (CS) in women with epilepsy (WWE) is higher than in the general population. In Poland, there is neither a national registry nor another data set to access the outcome of pregnancy in WWE. Therefore, we address this gap by prospectively studying CS rates among 1021 WWE pregnancies at a single centre, their trends over time, and factors increasing the likelihood of the CS. To determine whether the diagnosis of epilepsy itself increased this likelihood, mixed models were used to analyse the contributions of specific variables, including the presence of seizures at different pregnancy-related timepoints. Over 20 years, the mean rate of CS in WWE was progressively growing and was higher than in the general population in Mazovia (47% vs. 32%). Generalized seizures in the third trimester increased the likelihood of CS with the highest odds (OR 4.4). The most frequent indication for a CS was obstetric (58.1%), followed by epilepsy-related (25.2%). Almost half of women who indicated epilepsy as the sole reason for CS had no seizure during pregnancy, and nearly 70% did not have generalized seizures. This suggests the overuse of epilepsy as an indication of CS and encourages defining more strict criteria.

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on serum biochemical marker levels of first and second trimester screening tests

OBJECTIVES

Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of antiepileptic drugs on biochemical components of screening tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This longitudinal case-control study was performed at Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from June 2020 to January 2021. The case group included epileptic singleton pregnant women which were using antiepileptic drugs, between 18 and 44 years of age. The control group included healthy pregnant women between 18 and 44 years old who did not use any drugs. Maternal medical, obstetric, and gynecological history were recorded. The antiepileptic agents that are used in our study were; lamotrigine, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproic acid, and clonazepam. For the aneuploidy screening program conducted in our laboratory, the biochemical markers that are analyzed include; free b-hCG and PAPP-A in the first trimester, as well as AFP, HCG, and unconjugated estriol (uE3) in the second trimester. MoM values of these markers were compared between the case and control groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-three pregnant women with epilepsy using antiepileptic drugs were compared with 106 healthy pregnant women. The levels of serum-free b-hCG, and PAPP-A were similar between the case and control groups (p = 0.653, p = 0.351). For the second-trimester screening biochemical markers, the maternal serum uE3 and AFP levels expressed as MoM were significantly higher in the epileptic group than in the control patients (p = 0.015 and p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum marker levels of second-trimester screening tests may be affected by antiepileptic drugs, which may lead to misinterpretation of the risk level. Antiepileptic drug usage should be considered when evaluating screening test results.

Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Model for Predicting Teratogenic Risk of Antiseizure Medications in Pregnancy by Using Support Vector Machine

Teratogenicity is one of the main concerns in clinical medications of pregnant women. Prescription of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in women with epilepsy during pregnancy may cause teratogenic effects on the fetus. Although large scale epilepsy pregnancy registries played an important role in evaluating the teratogenic risk of ASMs, for most ASMs, especially the newly approved ones, the potential teratogenic risk cannot be effectively assessed due to the lack of evidence. In this study, the analyses are performed on any medication, with a focus on ASMs. We curated a list containing the drugs with potential teratogenicity based on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug labeling, and established a support vector machine (SVM) model for detecting drugs with high teratogenic risk. The model was validated by using the post-marketing surveillance data from US FDA Spontaneous Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) and applied to the prediction of potential teratogenic risk of ASMs. Our results showed that our proposed model outperformed the state-of-art approaches, including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), when detecting the high teratogenic risk of drugs (MCC and recall rate were 0.312 and 0.851, respectively). Among 196 drugs with teratogenic potential reported by FAERS, 136 (69.4%) drugs were correctly predicted. For the eight commonly used ASMs, 4 of them were predicted as high teratogenic risk drugs, including topiramate, phenobarbital, valproate and phenytoin (predicted probabilities of teratogenic risk were 0.69, 0.60 0.59, and 0.56, respectively), which were consistent with the statement in FDA-approved drug labeling and the high reported prevalence of teratogenicity in epilepsy pregnancy registries. In addition, the structural alerts in ASMs that related to the genotoxic carcinogenicity and mutagenicity, idiosyncratic adverse reaction, potential electrophilic agents and endocrine disruption were identified and discussed. Our findings can be a good complementary for the teratogenic risk assessment in drug development and facilitate the determination of pharmacological therapies during pregnancy.

Epilepsy and Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Seizure disorders are the most frequent major neurologic complication in pregnancy, affecting 0.3% to 0.8% of all gestations. Women of childbearing age with epilepsy require special care related to pregnancy. This article provides up-to-date information to guide practitioners in the management of epilepsy in pregnancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ongoing multicenter pregnancy registries and studies continue to provide important information on issues related to pregnancy in women with epilepsy. Valproate poses a special risk for malformations and cognitive/behavioral impairments. A few antiseizure medications pose low risks (eg, lamotrigine, levetiracetam), but the risks for many antiseizure medications remain uncertain. Although pregnancy rates differ, a prospective study found no difference in fertility rates between women with epilepsy who were attempting to get pregnant and healthy controls. During pregnancy, folic acid supplementation is important, and a dose greater than 400 mcg/d during early pregnancy (ie, first 12 weeks) is associated with better neurodevelopmental outcome in children of women with epilepsy. Breastfeeding is not harmful and should be encouraged in women with epilepsy even when they are on antiseizure medication treatment.

SUMMARY

Women with epilepsy should be counseled early and regularly about reproductive health. Practitioners should discuss the risks of various obstetric complications; potential anatomic teratogenicity and neurodevelopmental dysfunction related to fetal antiseizure medication exposure; and a plan of care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Women with epilepsy should also be reassured that the majority of pregnancies are uneventful.

Pregnancy and the Control of Epileptic Seizures: A Review

Over the past 50 years, published studies have provided quantitative data on the control of epileptic seizures during pregnancy. The studies have varied in quality, and particularly in the ways in which seizure control has been assessed. However, most studies have shown that seizure occurrence rates are more likely to worsen than improve during pregnancy, though in most pregnancies the rates have been unaltered. Nearly all of the studies have involved women with antiseizure medication-treated epilepsy, but there is a little evidence that seizure control also tends to worsen in pregnancies of women with untreated epilepsy. The factors likely to contribute to the seizure worsening are (i) patient non-compliance, (ii) increased antiseizure medication clearance during pregnancy resulting in lower circulating drug concentrations relative to dose, (iii) the effects of the higher female sex hormone levels during pregnancy, oestrogens being pro-epileptogenic and progesterone anti-epileptogenic, and (iv) reluctance to use the potential teratogen valproate in women capable of pregnancy, depriving them of the most effective drug for certain types of epilepsy. Compliance can be encouraged, but at the present time only one other factor is readily correctable, i.e. the increased drug clearance. This can be compensated for by raising antiseizure medication dosage during pregnancy, guided by measurement of circulating drug concentrations. This course of action appears to reduce the chance of seizure disorder worsening during pregnancy, but so far it has not provided a complete solution to the issue.

Levetiracetam Use During Pregnancy in Women With Active Epilepsy: A Hospital-Based, Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North Eastern INDIA

Background and Purpose

Epilepsy during pregnancy is a therapeutic challenge. Since the 1990s, the number of licensed antiepileptic drugs has substantially increased, but safety data on managing epilepsy during conception, pregnancy, and postpartum period use of newer generation antiepileptic drugs and birth defects are limited. We analyzed efficacy and safety of levetiracetam during pregnancy in northeast Indian women with active epilepsy (WWAE) which is being presented here.

Design

Hospital based retrospective study.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted based on clinical records at a tertiary care teaching hospital and referral center in Northeast India between June 2008 through June 2018 without any personal identifying information. The Obstetric data from pregnancy register was supplemented with detailed neurologic data retrieved from medical records.

Results

Of 103 women with active epilepsy, 47 (45.6%) received levetiracetam as monotherapy and 56 (54.4%) as polytherapy. During pregnancy, the seizure frequency was unchanged, or the change was better in the majority (61.1%) of the patients. With one twin pregnancy, there were 96 live births, 5 spontaneous abortions, 2 induced abortions, 1 stillbirth. However, the rate of small for gestational age was higher in WWAE, Apgar score at 5 min was lower in infants of WWAE, and the need for care in the neonatal ward and neonatal intensive care was higher. Seven of 103 exposed pregnancies had a major congenital malformation (6.79%), all 7 were exposed to other antiepileptic drugs. Generalized epilepsy accounted for 57.2%.

Conclusion

Pregnancy course is uncomplicated and neonatal outcome is good in the majority of women with active epilepsy with proper antenatal and neurologic care. Levetiracetam taken in monotherapy can be considered as safer alternative for women with epilepsy of childbearing age. Long-term follow-up of neuropsychological and cognitive development of the children of WWAE is still needed.

Peripartum hemorrhage and other obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy: A single-center study

OBJECTIVE

There are inconsistent results in different studies on maternal and fetal complications of pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE). The differences may be in part due to racial characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is an increase in obstetric and neonatal complications, especially postpartum hemorrhage, in pregnant women with epilepsy in the Turkish population.

METHODS

In a tertiary center, PWWE and the control group were compared in terms of obstetric and neonatal complications as well as postpartum hemorrhage. Among 46,789 deliveries, 154 eligible PWWE were matched 1: 3 with the control group.

RESULTS

There was no increase in the possibility of peripartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion in PWWE. However, the probability of cesarean delivery was higher in PWWE (adjusted OR: 3.24 CI: 1.95-5.42, p < 0.001). Moreover, an increase in the possibility of fetal growth restriction, fetal death, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and lower APGAR scores were found in PWWE.

CONCLUSION

Although the risk of peripartum hemorrhage does not appear to be increased in PWWE, cesarean rates and fetal complications do increase. There is also a need for prospective studies examining long-term neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by epilepsy.

Antiseizure medication use during pregnancy and risk of ASD and ADHD in children

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether children born to women who use antiseizure medications (ASMs) during pregnancy have higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) independent of confounding factors.

METHODS

We used Swedish register data (n = 14,614 children born 1996-2011 and followed up through 2013) to examine associations in children of women with epilepsy, using the largest sample to date and adjusting for a range of measured confounders. We examined maternal-reported first-trimester use of any ASM (22.7%) and the 3 most commonly reported individual drugs (valproic acid 4.8%, lamotrigine 6.8%, and carbamazepine 9.7%). We identified ASD with ICD-10 diagnoses and ADHD with ICD-10 diagnoses or filled prescriptions of ADHD medication.

RESULTS

Examination of individual drugs revealed that after adjustment for confounding, use of valproic acid was associated with ASD (hazard ratio [HR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-3.47) and ADHD (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.28-2.38). Whereas a small, nonstatistically significant association with ASD (HR 1.25, 95% CI = 0.88-1.79) and ADHD (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.91-1.52) remained for reported use of carbamazepine, confounding explained all of the associations with lamotrigine (HRASD 0.86, 95% CI 0.67-1.53; HRADHD 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of risk related to exposure to lamotrigine, whereas we observed elevated risk of ASD and ADHD related to maternal use of valproic acid. Associations with carbamazepine were weak and not statistically significant. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests that certain ASMs may be safer than others in pregnancy.

THE IMPACT OF ANTIEPILEPTIC TREATMENT IN PREGNANCY ON PERINATAL OUTCOME IN CROATIA - A SINGLE-CENTER STUDY

Pregnancy can alter the natural course of epilepsy and affect pharmacokinetic profile of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) making therapeutic management more demanding. Since there is no relevant population-based study in Croatia to date, we conducted this research with the aim to observe antiepileptic treatment policy in pregnancy and to determine if the number of AEDs affects pregnancy outcomes. The study included all women with epilepsy with singleton pregnancy exposed to one or more AEDs divided into two groups (group 1: one AED and group 2: more than one AED used). Data were collected retrospectively at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia, and included 153 women from January 2010 to December 2018. Primary outcomes included rates of preterm delivery, major fetal malformations, gestational hypertension, cesarean section rate, and appearance of seizures during pregnancy. We found higher rates of all pregnancy complications examined than in the general population, while comparison of the two study groups yielded significant differences. Preterm labor was detected in 30% of deliveries in polytherapy group compared to 16.6% in monotherapy group (p=0.03). Gestational hypertension was recorded in 20% of women in polytherapy group vs. 4.90% in monotherapy group (p=0.009). There was also a high rate of cesarean deliveries in polytherapy group (27.5%). Seizures during pregnancy occurred in 48.4% of patients in polytherapy group, which was significantly higher than the rate recorded in monotherapy group (p=0.015). In this single-center retrospective study, women with epilepsy using AEDs during pregnancy had a higher rate of gestational hypertension and preterm delivery than the general population of pregnant women. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Croatia observing antiepileptic treatment policy in pregnancy with regards to AED regimen and perinatal outcome.

Prevalence of epilepsy in Saudi pregnant women and possible effects of anti-epileptic drugs on pregnancy outcomes

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in Saudi pregnant women and estimate the frequency of seizure types in suffering individuals using different anti-epileptic drug modalities. It also aimed to report the teratogenic effects of anti-epileptic drugs as observed in neonates.

Methods:

This prospective study was conducted at King Fahd University Hospital from June 2018 to July 2019. Sixty-eight pregnant women diagnosed with epilepsy were included in this study. Seizure types and their frequencies were recorded along with anti-epileptic drug therapies and their association with fetal/neonatal malformations.

Results:

Out of 68 epileptic pregnant females, 30 (44.1%) experienced focal seizures and 38 (55.9%) experienced generalized seizures. Thirty-nine (57.3%) received monotherapy, 21 (30.9%) received polytherapy and 8 (11.8%) did not take antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. Thirty-six (52.9%) patients experienced no change in seizure frequency during pregnancy, 19 (27.9%) experienced increase in seizure frequency and 13 (19.1%) showed decreased seizure frequency. The pregnancy outcomes analysis showed 2 (2.9%) intrauterine fetal deaths, whereas 4 (4.9%) neonates showed facial and/or organ malformations.

Conclusion:

The frequency of seizures was found to increase in only 27.9% of the pregnant women in the sample. Malformation and mortality rates were higher in fetuses/neonates of patients with generalized seizures. It was observed that for the patient group using monotherapy, the rate of healthy babies was higher than that of the group using polytherapy.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy in pregnancy can lead to substantial maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early intervention in pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE), accurate assessment of the severity of their condition, and effective treatment are required to improve maternal and neonatal prognosis. Many obstetricians lack experience in monitoring and treating pregnant WWE.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of pregnant WWE and examine maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

Medical records of 75 pregnant women with a history of epilepsy who delivered at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China between January 2006 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Pregnant women with a history of epilepsy were matched 1:2 with a control group of 150 pregnant women without epilepsy who delivered at Beijing Tiantan Hospital during the same time period. Information including type and frequency of epilepsy and seizures, maternal complications, medication, delivery mode, newborn weight, and newborn Apgar score were recorded. In subgroup analyses, pregnant WWE were stratified according to presence or absence of seizures during pregnancy and generalized seizure vs. nongeneralized seizure.

RESULTS

The incidence of anemia, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), cesarean section, and postpartum hemorrhage was significantly higher (p < 0.05), and mean newborn weight and newborn Apgar score were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in pregnant WWE compared with pregnant women without epilepsy. The incidence of premature delivery was significantly higher (p < 0.05), and mean newborn weight was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in pregnant WWE with seizures vs. without seizures. Mean newborn weight was significantly lower (p = 0.01) in pregnant WWE with nongeneralized seizures vs. generalized seizures.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant WWE are at high risk of anemia, gestational hypertension, PROM, cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, and low newborn weight and Apgar score. Women with epilepsy who experience seizures during pregnancy are at high risk of preterm birth and having low birth weight infants. Pregnant WWE who experience nongeneralized seizures are at high risk of having low birth weight infants. These data emphasize the need to routinely monitor fetal weight on ultrasound and offer appropriate intervention. These findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to take a multidisciplinary approach to the management of pregnant WWE.

SYNOPSIS

Pregnant WWE are at high risk of obstetric complications. Women with epilepsy who experience seizures during pregnancy are at high risk of preterm birth and having low birth weight infants. Pregnant WWE who experience nongeneralized seizures are at high risk of having low birth weight infants. These data highlight the need for healthcare providers to take a multidisciplinary approach to the management of pregnant WWE.

Obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with seizure disorder: A hospital-based, longitudinal study

Objective:

To study the association of seizure disorder with adverse obstetric outcome in terms of maternal and perinatal complications.

Materials and Methods:

This longitudinal study was conducted at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi over 15 months among women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) outpatient department. Fifty pregnant women with seizure disorder with their first ANC visit before 28 weeks were recruited as the case group, excluding patients with eclampsia. The control group included 120 matched healthy pregnant women. After obtaining informed consent, subjects were recruited and followed till one week postpartum and obstetric outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

Women with seizure disorder had significantly increased incidence of severe preeclampsia (cases =8%, controls =0%, p<0.001), antepartum hemorrhage (cases =4%, controls =0%, p<0.001), babies with early neonatal complications such as asphyxia (cases =4.1%, controls =0.5%, p=0.04), respiratory distress (cases =14.5%, controls =5.1%, p=0.02), necrotizing enterocolitis (cases =2.0%, controls =0%, p=0.04), early neonatal death (cases =2.0%, controls =0%, p=0.04) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission (cases =20.8%, controls =8.6%, p<0.001) when compared with women without seizure disorder. No significant difference was observed in rates of induction of labor, cesarean section, abortion, congenital anomalies in babies, still births. Conclusion: Women with seizure disorder are at higher risk of hypertensive disorders, antepartum hemorrhage, and early neonatal complications.

Conclusion:

Women with seizure disorder are at higher risk of hypertensive disorders, antepartum hemorrhage, and early neonatal complications. Appropriate obstetric, pediatric and neurology care is required during preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum.

New-onset epilepsy in pregnant women: clinical features and delivery outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Most seizures during pregnancy occur in women who already have epilepsy. Rarely, some women may have their first seizure during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and pregnancy outcomes in women with new-onset epilepsy during pregnancy.

METHODS

112 pregnant women with epilepsy were prospectively evaluated at the Education - Therapeutic Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University, in the neurological and maternity departments of the Clinical Medical Center in Baku over a six-year period. Women were regularly followed by a neurologist and obstetrician till the end of pregnancy. To determine the recurrence of seizures during the pregnancy and after delivery, the women were followed up at least once per three months for a one year period after delivery. Delivery and perinatal outcomes were compared with those of 277 healthy women in the control group (without epilepsy and without registering chronic diseases).

RESULTS

Of the 112 pregnant women with epilepsy, 12 (10.7%) had their first seizures during the pregnancy: 6 in the 1^st, 4 in the 2^nd, 2 in the 3^rd trimester. Women with new-onset epilepsy had increased risk of cesarean section and perinatal hypoxia in offspring, compared with controls (Odds ratio [OR]: 13.57; 95% confidence interval (CI):2.86-64.31 and OR: 3.61; 95 % CI: 1.06-12.27, respectively). The risks of cesarean section and perinatal hypoxia were not increased in women with new-onset epilepsy compared to women with epilepsy before pregnancy (OR 2.64; 95 % CI 0.54-12.93 and OR 2.18, 95% CI 0.61-7.76, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, women with new-onset epilepsy may have an increased risk of delivery by cesarean section and perinatal hypoxia compared to pregnant controls. The risks were not increased compared to women with epilepsy before pregnancy. Neonatal hypoxia was associated with delivery by cesarean section.

Evaluation of Maternal Reproductive Outcomes and Biochemical Analysis from Wistar Audiogenic Rats (WAR) and Repercussions in Their Offspring

The objective of the present study was to evaluate maternal reproductive performance, body weight, and frequency of external and internal anomalies of newborns of Wistar Audiogenic Rat (WAR) females as compared with Wistar rats. The adult WAR and Wistar rats were mated within their respective strains. After confirming the pregnancy, the body weights were weekly evaluated. On day 21 of pregnancy, the female rats were anesthetized and sacrificed to evaluate the maternal reproductive outcomes and biochemical profile, newborn weight, and external and internal anomalies. The WAR strain gained less weight during the pregnancy and presented hyperproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and embryonic losses concerning Wistar rats, suggesting an inadequate intrauterine condition for embryonic development and fetal viability. WAR also presented a higher percentage of newborns classified as small for gestational age related to intrauterine growth restriction, which was confirmed by the lower number of ossification centers. There was a higher percentage of skeletal anomalies compared with fetuses of the Wistar dams, confirming their greater susceptibility during the formation and development of their skeletal system. Thus, the WAR presents physiological alterations compromising the viability of their embryos and fetuses, leading to impaired development of the newborns.

Natural and forced neurogenesis in the adult brain: Mechanisms and their possible application to treat neurological disorders

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult hippocampus generate new neurons via a process referred to as neurogenesis, supporting cognitive functions. Since altered neurogenesis has been reportedly associated with several diseases such as epilepsy, the molecular basis of NSC activity is an important focus in the study of neurogenesis. Furthermore, facilitation of neurogenesis in the injured brain would be an ideal approach to replenish lost neurons for damage recovery. However, natural neurogenesis by endogenous NSCs in the adult brain is insufficient for complete recovery after severe injury. Recent advances in understanding forced neurogenesis from brain-resident non-neuronal cells by direct reprogramming and clearing hurdles to achieve it have improved the ability to replace damaged neurons in the brain. In this review, we describe molecular mechanisms underlying natural and forced neurogenesis, and discuss future directions for treatments of diseases in the central nervous system.

Effects of single and repetitive valproic acid administration on the gene expression of placental transporters in pregnant rats: An analysis by gestational period

The use of valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, during pregnancy, is known to increase various fetal risks. Since VPA has been known to inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs); its administration could alter gene transcription levels. However, in vivo effects of VPA administration on placental transporters have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate the effects of single and repetitive VPA administration on the expression of placental transporters and analyze them by gestational day. We investigated 18 transporters (8 ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and 10 solute carrier (SLC) transporters) in the placentas of pregnant rats that were orally administered 400 mg/kg/day VPA for one or four days, during mid- or late gestation. In the control rats, 4 ABC transporter genes (Abcb1a, 1b, Abcc2, Abcc4) were upregulated, 3 (Abcc3, Abcc5, Abcg2) downregulated through gestation, whereas 1 (Abcc1) was not changed. Regarding SLC transporters, 6 genes (Slc7a5, Slc16a3, Slc22a3, Slc22a4, Slco2b1, Slco4a1) were increased, 1 (Slc29a1) decreased through gestation, whereas 3 (Slc7a8, Slc22a5, Slco2a1) showed no significant change. Single VPA administration altered the expression of 9 transporters and repetitive administration, 13 transporters. In particular, VPA remarkably decreased Abcc4 and Slc22a4 in late gestation and increased Abcc5 during mid-gestation. Our findings indicated that VPA administration changed transporter expression levels in rat placenta, and suggested that sensitivity to VPA differs across gestational stages.

The impact of maternal epilepsy on delivery and neonatal outcomes

PURPOSE

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that may complicate reproductive health. Our aim in this study was to provide prospective ascertainment of obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with epilepsy and investigate whether the risk of pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal complications differed between women with epilepsy and women without epilepsy.

METHODS

Pregnant women with epilepsy and women without epilepsy (control group) were prospectively evaluated during the years 2013-2018. They were regularly followed by a neurologist and obstetrician until the end of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Delivery and perinatal outcomes were compared between 112 women diagnosed with epilepsy and 277 women without epilepsy. Epilepsy was a significant risk factor for preterm delivery, cesarean section, fetal hypoxia, and Apgar score ≤ 7 at 5 min in offspring (odds ratio (OR) = 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-7.76; OR = 5.61, 95% CI 3.44-9.14; OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.08-3.04; OR = 8.12, 95% CI 4.04-16.35, respectively). Seizures during pregnancy had influence on the preference of cesarean section as a mode of delivery (ОR = 3.39; 95% CI 1.40-8.17). The rate of perinatal hypoxia was significantly higher in children born by cesarean section (ОR = 2.84; 95% CI 1.04-7.76). There was no significant difference between women with epilepsy and controls in malformation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with epilepsy had an increased risk of pregnancy and delivery complications. Cesarean section was associated with an increased risk of complications in offspring.

Advances in Epidemiological Methods and Utilisation of Large Databases: A Methodological Review of Observational Studies on Central Nervous System Drug Use in Pregnancy and Central Nervous System Outcomes in Children

INTRODUCTION

Studies have used various epidemiological approaches to study associations between central nervous system (CNS) drug use in pregnancy and CNS outcomes in children. Studies have generally focused on clinical adverse effects, whereas variations in methodologies have not received sufficient attention.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to review the methodological characteristics of existing studies to identify any limitations and recommend further research.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted on observational studies listed in PubMed from 1 January 1946 to 21 September 2017. Following independent screening and data extraction, we conducted a review addressing the trends of relevant studies, differences between various data sources, and methods used to address bias and confounders; we also conducted statistical analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 111 observational studies, 25 case-control studies, and 86 cohort studies were included in the review. Publications dating from 1978 to 2006 mainly focused on antiepileptic drugs, but research on antidepressants increased from 2007 onwards. Only one study focused on antipsychotic use during pregnancy. A total of 46 studies obtained data from an administrative database/registry, 20 from ad hoc disease registries, and 41 from ad hoc clinical samples. Most studies (58%) adjusted the confounding factors using general adjustment, whereas only a few studies used advanced methods such as sibling-matched models and propensity score methods; 42 articles used univariate analyses and 69 conducted multivariable regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

Multiple factors, including different study designs and data sources, have led to inconsistent findings in associations between CNS drug use in pregnancy and CNS outcomes in children. Researchers should allow for study designs with clearly defined exposure periods, at the very least in trimesters, and use advanced confounding adjustment methodology to increase the accuracy of the findings.

Epilepsy

The management of epilepsy during pregnancy involves optimizing seizure control for the mother, while ensuring the best outcome for the developing fetus. Preconception counseling regarding contraception, folic acid, and antiseizure medications (ASMs) will maximize positive outcomes. Folic acid supplementation is recommended to decrease risk of neural tube defects, similar to the general population, and has been associated with improved cognitive outcomes and decreased risk of autistic traits in offspring. Efforts should be made to optimize the ASM regimen before pregnancy to the fewest number of ASMs, lowest effective doses, with avoidance of more teratogenic agents such as valproic acid. Valproic acid is associated with the highest increased risk of major congenital malformations, as well as reduced cognitive outcomes and neurodevelopmental disorders. Decreasing or changing ASMs during pregnancy should be done with caution, as convulsive seizures have been associated with adverse fetal outcomes including cognitive impairment. Physiologic changes during pregnancy affect ASM levels and in turn, risk for seizures, necessitating frequent monitoring of ASM serum concentrations. Mothers should also be counseled postpartum about how the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the transmission of medication into breast milk. Communication between providers (obstetrics and neurology) and pregnant women with epilepsy is essential.

Prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs and early processing of emotionally relevant sounds

INTRODUCTION

Prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is associated with developmental compromises in verbal intelligence and social skills in childhood. Our aim was to evaluate whether a multifeature Mismatch Negativity (MMN) paradigm assessing semantic and emotional components of linguistic and emotional processing would be useful to detect possible alterations in early auditory processing of newborns with prenatal AED exposure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on AED exposure, pregnancy outcome, neuropsychological evaluation of the mothers, information on maternal epilepsy type, and a structured neurological examination of the newborn were collected prospectively. Blinded to AED exposure, we compared a cohort of 36 AED-exposed with 46 control newborns at the age of two weeks by measuring MMN with a multifeature paradigm with six linguistically relevant deviant sounds and three emotionally uttered sounds.

RESULTS

Frontal responses for the emotionally uttered stimulus Happy differed significantly in the exposed newborns compared with the control newborns. In addition, responses to sounds with or without emotional component differed in newborns exposed to multiple AEDs compared with control newborns or to newborns exposed to only one AED.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings suggest that prenatal AED exposure may alter early processing of emotionally and linguistically relevant sound information.

Emerging trends and knowledge structure of epilepsy during pregnancy research for 2000-2018: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Epilepsy during pregnancy presents a unique set of challenges for pregnant women, the fetus, and the health care community. As research in this area advances rapidly, it is critical to keep up with the emerging trends and key turning points of the development of the domain knowledge. This study aimed to construct a series of science maps to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the intellectual landscape and research frontiers in the field of epilepsy during pregnancy research.

Methods

All publications were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric analysis was used to analyze the scientific research outputs, including journals, countries/regions, institutions, authors (cited authors), intellectual base and research hotspots.

Results

A total of 2,225 publications related to epilepsy during pregnancy were identified as published between 2000 and 2018. The overall trend of the number of publications showed a fluctuating growth from 59 articles in 2000 to 198 in 2018. Neurology was the leading journal in the field of epilepsy and pregnancy research both in terms of impact factor score (8.055) and H-index value (77). The US retained its leading position and exerted a pivotal influence in this area. The University of Melbourne was identified as a good research institution for research collaboration. Prof. Pennell and Tomson have made great achievements in this area, and Prof. Tomson laid a foundation for the development of this domain. The keyword “neonatal seizures” ranked first in research hotspots, and the keyword “autism spectrum disorders (ASD)” ranked first in research frontiers.

Conclusions

Epilepsy during pregnancy is a fascinating and rapid development of subject matter. A more recent emerging trend focused on comprehensive management of pregnant and lactating women, evaluation of the safety and efficacy of newer antiepileptic drugs. The keywords “management issue,” “brain injury,” “meta-analysis,” “in utero exposure,” and “ASD” were the latest research frontiers and should be closely observed.

Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in Patients of Child-Bearing Potential

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is both a frequent and a very characteristic epileptic syndrome with female preponderance. Treatment of JME in women of childbearing potential must consider multiple factors such as desire for pregnancy, use of contraception, seizure control and previously used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Approximately 85% of cases are well controlled with valproate, which remains the reference AED in JME but is nowadays considered unsafe for the expecting mother and her fetus. The prescription of valproate is now severely restricted in women of childbearing potential but may still be considered, at the lowest possible dose and when pregnancies can be reliably planned, with temporary alternatives to valproate prescribed before fertilization. Alternatives have emerged, especially lamotrigine and levetiracetam, but also topiramate, zonisamide, and recently perampanel, but none of these AEDs can be considered fully safe in the context of pregnancy. In special settings, benzodiazepines and barbiturates may be useful. In some cases, combination therapy, especially lamotrigine and levetiracetam, may be useful or even required. However, lamotrigine may have the potential to aggravate JME, with promyoclonic effects. Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and phenytoin must be avoided. Valproate, levetiracetam, zonisamide, topiramate if the daily dose is ≤ 200 mg and perampanel if the daily dose is ≤ 10 mg do not affect combined hormonal contraception. Lamotrigine ≥ 300 mg/day has been shown to decrease levonorgestrel levels by 20% but does not compromise combined hormonal contraception. Patients with JME taking oral contraceptive should be counselled on the fact that the estrogenic component can reduce concentrations of lamotrigine by over 50%, putting patients at risk of increased seizures. Pregnancy is a therapeutic challenge, and the risk/benefit ratio for the mother and fetus must be considered when choosing the appropriate drug. Lamotrigine (< 325 mg daily in the European Registry of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy) and levetiracetam seem to be comparatively safer in pregnancy than other AEDs, especially topiramate and valproate. Plasma concentration of lamotrigine and levetiracetam decreases significantly during pregnancy, and dosage adjustments may be necessary. With persisting generalized tonic-clonic seizures, the combination of lamotrigine and levetiracetam offer the chance of seizure control and lesser risks of major congenital malformations. The risk of malformation increases when valproate or topiramate are included in the drug combination. In one study, the relative risk of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children born to women with epilepsy (WWE) treated with valproate were, respectively, 5.2 for autism and 2.9 for ASD versus 2.12 for autism and 1.6 for ASD in WWE not treated with valproate. More studies are needed to assess the risk of autism with AEDs other than valproate. The current knowledge is that the risk appears to be double that in the general population. In patients with JME, valproate remains an essential and life-changing agent. The consequences of a lifetime of poorly controlled epilepsy need to be balanced against the teratogenic risks of valproate during limited times in a woman's life. The management of JME in WWE should include lifestyle interventions, with avoidance of sleep deprivation, and planned pregnancy.

Increased rate of acute caesarean sections in women with epilepsy: results from the Oppland Perinatal Database in Norway

Background and purpose

Studies in women with epilepsy (WWE) regarding pregnancy and labour complications have disclosed contradictory results. Our purpose was to investigate whether WWE have a higher risk of acute caesarean section (CS) or pregnancy complications than women without epilepsy or women with other chronic diseases and, if we found a higher risk, to explore potential explanations.

Methods

The study used prospectively registered obstetric data from the Oppland Perinatal Database in the period 2001–2011, containing information on 18 244 births, including 110 singleton pregnancies in mothers with validated epilepsy. Data regarding epilepsy were collected retrospectively from medical records.

Results

Epilepsy was a significant risk factor for acute CS, breech presentation and low birth weight in offspring [odds ratio (OR), 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–3.1; OR, 2.29, 95% CI, 1.2–4.6 and OR, 2.10, 95% CI, 1.0–4.2, respectively]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, antiepileptic drug exposure was an independent risk factor for acute CS (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.06–3.77) and polytherapy was a significant risk factor for breech presentation (OR, 5.37; 95% CI, 1.13–25.57). Seizure frequency during pregnancy had no influence on the complication rate.

Conclusions

We found that WWE using antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy had increased rates of acute CS, breech presentation and low birth weight, and that seizure frequency during pregnancy did not influence the complication rate.

Cesarean section in Australian women with epilepsy

The literature suggests that cesarean delivery or birth is carried out more often in pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) than in pregnant women in the general population. Data were utilized from the Australian Pregnancy Register (APR) for Women on Antiepileptic Medication to investigate this issue in Australia. Over almost two decades, the mean CS rate in 1900 APR women was 39.2%, but was only 29.9% in women in the general population (relative risk (R.R.) = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) 1.24, 1.39). Rates for forceps and suction-assisted delivery were similar in the two datasets. The 9.3% excess CS rate was almost entirely accounted for by operations carried out prior to the onset of labor. The rates for CS during labor were very similar. Only 11.0% of the WWE knew the indication for their prelabor CS, whereas 69.8% knew why theirs had been carried out during labor (odds ratio (O.R.) = 0.054; 99% C.I. 0.032, 0.089). Slightly older mothers and increased proportions of primipara probably made small contributions to the increased prelabor CS rate in the Australian WWE, but most of the excess could not be accounted for in the Register data. Australian obstetricians may have tended to regard prelabor CS as a preferable course of action in managing delivery in WWE, even in the absence of other indications.

Antiepileptic drug treatment during pregnancy and delivery in women with epilepsy-A retrospective single center study

PURPOSE

Antiepileptic drugs (AED) are among the most common teratogenic drugs prescribed to women of childbearing age. During pregnancy, the risk of seizures has to be weight against the use of AED treatment. Primary goal was to observe and describe AED treatment policy and its changes during an eleven-year period at our third referral center.

METHODS

We scrutinized the medical health records for all cases of female epileptic patients admitted for labor at the Rabin Medical Center during the years 2005 - 2015.

RESULTS

A total of 296 deliveries were recorded with 136 labors occurring in the period 2005-2010 (22.7/y) and 160 in 2011-2015 (32.0/y; increase of 41%). Twelve different AEDs were prescribed to WWE during pregnancies in the 11-year period investigated (2005-2015). Most commonly used AEDs during pregnancy were Lamotrigine (36.1%), Carbamazepine (25.0%), and Valproic Acid (13.5%). Comparing their use during the years 2005-2010 and 2011-2015, Lamotrigine (35.3% vs. 36.9%) and Carbamazepine use (23.5% vs. 26.0%) increased slightly. Valproic acid use was markedly reduced in the second period: 18.4% in the years 2005-2010 lowered to 9.4% during 2011-2015, a reduction of 48%. Unfortunately, a trend towards an increase in treating WWE with more than one AED was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of WWE treated with VPA during pregnancy was significantly reduced in the observed period (2005-2015). Change in fetal outcome during this period for WWE could not be detected.

Levetiracetam use during pregnancy in women with epilepsy: Preliminary observations from a tertiary care center in Northern India

INTRODUCTION

Data on efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) during pregnancy is still limited. We analyzed efficacy and safety of LEV during pregnancy in North Indian women with epilepsy (WWE) which is being presented here.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 99 WWE (on treatment with a single antiepileptic drug [AED]) who were evaluated in medical-surgical disorder antenatal clinic of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care teaching hospital and referral center in North India. All the obstetric and fetal data as well as data pertaining to epilepsy were noted meticulously.

RESULTS

In this study (n = 99), 35 women received carbamazepine, 28 received LEV, 15 received valproate (VPA), 13 received phenytoin (PHT), three each received oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine, respectively, and two received clobazam. Although the use of VPA was associated with significantly better control of seizures compared to LEV, its use was associated with higher risk of major congenital malformations (13.3%). The incidence of gestational hypertension was lower while incidence of fetal distress was significantly higher in WWE receiving PHT during pregnancy. None of the child born to pregnant women receiving LEV had any congenital malformation.

CONCLUSION

LEV is a first-line AED during pregnancy. Future prospective studies using therapeutic drug monitoring during pregnancy may further help in establishing its role during pregnancy.

First and Second Trimester Biochemical Markers in Maternal Epilepsy: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Our aim is to investigate whether the maternal serum levels of first and second trimester serum analytes are altered in women with epilepsy in pregnancy.

METHODS

Maternal serum biochemical markers (estriol, alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], human chorionic gonadotrophin [hCG], free β hCG, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) were compared in a series of 122 pregnant women with epilepsy and in a cohort of 122 normal pregnant women. The serum samples were obtained between 11-13 6/7 weeks and 16-18 weeks gestation.

RESULTS

Second trimester serum estriol levels, expressed as multiples of the median (MoM), in the epileptic group (1.55 ± 0.77 MoM) were significantly higher than those in the control patients (1.13 ± 0.40 MoM) (p < 0.001). Of the women with epilepsy, 66.3% (n = 81) were exposed to antiepileptic drugs.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that otherwise uncomplicated pregnant epileptic women had higher second trimester (18-20 weeks of gestation) estriol levels compared to non-epileptic pregnant women.

Maternal voluntary exercise ameliorates learning deficit in rat pups exposed, in utero, to valproic acid; role of BDNF and VEGF and their receptors

In utero exposure to therapeutic doses of valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy can produce physical malformation and CNS abnormalities in the offspring. There is evidence indicating that even lower doses of VPA during pregnancy could cause cognitive impairment in offspring. It has been demonstrated that maternal exercise has positive effects on offspring's cognitive function. In this study we evaluated the preventive potential of maternal voluntary exercise on cognitive deficits induced by in utero exposure to VPA, in rat pups. Furthermore, the alteration of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their respective receptors were measured. In treatment groups, pregnant rats received VPA (10 and 20 mg/kg) daily on the gestation days (GD) 7 for twelve days with or without access to a running wheel. In control groups, rats received saline with or without access to a running wheel. On postnatal day (PND) 30, learning and memory of rat pups were assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) task. Also, on PND 30, hippocampal BDNF and VEGF were measured by ELISA and western blot analysis respectively. VEGFR (VEGF receptor) and TrkB (Tyrosine receptor kinase B, the receptor for BDNF) expressions were assessed using immunofluorescence staining. Results revealed that maternal voluntary exercise enhanced learning in offspring but had little effect on memory retention. Exposure to VPA during pregnancy disturbed learning and memory in rat pups. Maternal voluntary exercise could ameliorate some aspects of cognitive deficit induced by VPA. TrkB and VEGFR2 expression were enhanced in pups from running mothers. VPA, at both doses, suppressed exercise induced expression of these two receptors. Voluntary exercise and to a much greater extent VPA administration increased hippocampal BDNF. Voluntary exercise of mothers caused an enhance expression of VEGF in rat pups as did VPA administration, although to a smaller amount.

The course of epilepsy and seizure control in pregnant women

To investigate the course of epilepsy and seizure control during pregnancy. 105 pregnant women with epilepsy were studied prospectively during the period from 2013 to 2017. The average age at the onset of epilepsy was 17.4 ± 0.5 years. Seizures during pregnancy were observed in 76 (72.4 ± 4.4%) women. Eleven (10.5 ± 3.0%) women had their first seizure during current pregnancy. Among those 94 women who were diagnosed with epilepsy before pregnancy, 29 (30.9 ± 4.8%) remained seizure free; seizure frequency increased in 27 (28.7 ± 4.7%), decreased in 24 (25.5 ± 4.5%) women, in 14 (14.9 ± 3.7%) remained unchanged. Among 15 women who were seizure free for the 1 year prior to pregnancy 11 (73.3 ± 11.4%) women remained seizure free during pregnancy. The worsening in seizure control during pregnancy occurred in 22 (35.5 ± 6.1%) of 62 women with focal epilepsy and 5 (15.6 ± 6.4%) of 32 with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.0-8.81). Non-compliance with the antiepileptic drug therapy was observed in 20 (19.0 ± 3.8%) pregnant women, seizure frequency increased in 18 (90.0 ± 6.7%) of them compared with 5 (9.8 ± 4.2%) of 51 of those who followed correct antiepileptic drug regimen (p < 0.001). The risk of seizures during pregnancy was lower in women who were seizure-free for the 1 year prior to pregnancy; focal epilepsy was associated with an increased risk of seizure relapse during pregnancy; non-compliance with the antiepileptic drug therapy and inappropriate treatment may lead to worsening of seizure control and to the status epilepticus during pregnancy.

Obstetric outcomes and effects on babies born to women treated for epilepsy during pregnancy in a resource limited setting: a comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Management of epilepsy during pregnancy in a resource-limited setting (RLS) is challenging. This study aimed to assess obstetric outcomes and effects on babies of women with epilepsy (WWE) exposed to Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) compared to non-exposed controls in a RLS.

METHODS

Pregnant WWE were recruited from antenatal and neurology clinics of a tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka. Patients were reviewed in each trimester and post-partum. Medication adherence, adverse effects, seizure control and carbamazepine blood levels were monitored. Post-partum, measurements for anthropometric and dysmorphic features of the babies and congenital abnormalities were recorded. Age and sex matched babies not exposed to AED recruited as controls were also examined.

RESULTS

Ninety-six pregnant WWE were recruited (mean period of gestation 22.9 weeks). Mean age was 28 years and 48(50%) were primigravidae. Fifty percent (48) were on monotherapy, while 23.8, 15.9 and 4.1% were on two, three and four AEDs respectively. AEDs in first trimester (TM1) were carbamazepine (71%), valproate (25.8%) clobazam (29.5%), lamotrigine (7%) topiramate (5%) and others (3.4%). Sodium valproate use reduced significantly from T1 to T2(p < 0.05). Sub-therapeutic carbamazepine levels correlated positively (r = 0.547) with poor medication adherence (p = 0.009) and negatively (r = 0.306) with adverse effects (p = 0.002). Seventy-six WWE completed follow-up reporting w 75 (98.6%) live births and one T1 miscarriage (1.3%). Three (4.3%) were preterm. Majority (73.33%) were normal vaginal deliveries. Cesarean sections were not increased in WWE. Fifty-nine (61.45%) babies were examined. For those examined during infancy, 53 age and sex matched controls were recruited and examined.. Congenital abnormalities occurred in 5 (9.43%) babies of WWE [atrio-ventricular septal defect (2), renal hypoplasia (1), cryptorchidism (1), microcephaly (1)] compared to 2 (3.77%) in controls (2 microcephaly; p = 0.24). Fetal exposure to AEDs increased a risk of low birth weight (RR 2.8; p = 0.049). Anthropometric parameters of AED exposed babies were lower at birth but not statistically significant between the two groups (weight p = 0.263, length p = 0.363, occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) p = 0.307). However, weight (p = 0.009), length (p = 0.016) and OFC (p = 0.002) were significantly lower compared to controls at an average of 3.52 months.

CONCLUSION

Most pregnancies are unplanned in the RLS studied, and AEDs were altered during pregnancy. Congenital anomalies occurred at rates comparable to previous reports. Fetal exposure to AED had growth retardation in infancy compared to non-exposed babies.

Maternal and neonatal complications during pregnancy in women with epilepsy

Epilepsy is the commonest serious neurological problem faced by obstetricians and gynaecologists. Epidemiological studies estimate epilepsy to complicate 0.3–0.7% of all pregnancies.1 2 The importance of epilepsy in pregnancy lies in the fact that many women with epilepsy (WWE) have to go through their pregnancy while taking antiepileptic (AED) drugs. Both the seizures and AEDs can have harmful effects on the mother as well the foetus. Thus, during pregnancy, the clinician faces dual challenge of controlling seizures as well as preventing teratogenicity of AEDs.1 In this review we discuss the possible impact of seizures as well as AEDs on mother as well as the child. We try to answer some of the commonest questions which are relevant to successful management of pregnancy and ensuring birth of a healthy baby.

Exploring the perception of women with epilepsy about pregnancy concerns: a qualitative study

Background and aim

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in pregnancy, which is associated with increased maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. This study aimed to explore the reproductive healthcare needs of women with epilepsy before, during and after childbirth.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using a content analysis method. The study population was marital women with epilepsy in reproductive age (15–45 years) referred to Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Participants were 16 women chosen using purposive sampling with the consideration of maximum variation in sampling. Semi-structured interviews were held with the participants until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The MAXQDA software, version 2010, was used for the management of data.

Results

The data analysis led to the development of two categories. The first one is named ‘resilience against threats to safe pregnancy’ and has the following subcategories: (1) real physical complications and perceived (mental) conditions due to unwanted pregnancies, (2) the predisposing factors of anxiety related to safe pregnancy, (3) perceived consequences of pregnancy’, and (4) the approach to encounter perceived consequences of pregnancy. The second category is called ‘adverse experiences under inefficient supportive systems’ and has the following subcategories: (1) the insufficiency of reproductive healthcare services for women with epilepsy, (2) doubt about the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding, (3) stigma as a block to the treatment of the postpartum depression, and (4) playing the motherhood role under the shadow of self-esteem to lack of self-esteem.

Conclusion

In the prenatal, natal and postnatal duration, because of supportive system disruption and not receiving proper consultation, participants were often worried about not being able to get favorable conditions for safe pregnancy and controlling process of their pregnancy. Therefore, they often experienced unwanted pregnancy. They were also concerned about the adverse fetal outcomes. In postpartum period, they often experienced postpartum depression and were very doubtful about breastfeeding.

Assessment of recording bias in pregnancy studies using health care databases: An application to neurologic conditions

BACKGROUND

Pre-existing conditions are imperfectly recorded in health care databases. We assessed whether pre-existing neurologic conditions (epilepsy, multiple sclerosis [MS]) were differentially recorded in the presence of major obstetric outcomes (Caesarean delivery, preterm delivery, preeclampsia) in delivery records. We also evaluated the impact of differential recording on measures of frequency and association between the conditions and outcomes.

METHODS

The 2011-2014 Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial Claims Dataset was used to identify pregnancies. We calculated the relative recording of epilepsy and MS at delivery hospitalization compared with a 270-day pre-delivery window both overall and by the presence of major obstetric outcomes. We estimated risk ratios for the association between epilepsy and MS with the outcomes for each ascertainment window.

RESULTS

We identified 909 065 pregnancies in women continuously enrolled from 270-days before the delivery date. Of women with epilepsy identified in the pre-delivery window, 73% had the condition coded at delivery. For MS, the proportion was 60%. MS recording at delivery did not vary by obstetric outcomes, however, delivery-coded epilepsy was less likely confirmed in the pre-delivery window in the presence of preeclampsia. Generally, the period of ascertainment did not meaningfully impact risk ratios, however, the risk ratio for preeclampsia associated with epilepsy was 1.67 (95% CI 1.47, 1.90) when epilepsy was ascertained at delivery and 1.26 (95% CI 1.07, 1.48) when epilepsy was ascertained in the pre-delivery window (heterogeneity, P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Ascertainment of epilepsy and MS in delivery hospitalization records underestimated prevalence. However, the window of recording generally did not impact risk ratio estimates of associations with obstetric outcomes.

Pregnancy outcomes among women with epilepsy: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between pregnancies that involve epilepsy and those that do not and are identified as normal for the purposes of this paper.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was carried out by accessing the maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) database to identify and review records of singleton pregnancies with epilepsy but with no other underlying disease (study group). A parallel group of low-risk pregnancies was randomly allocated as the control group. The adverse outcomes between the two groups were compared. The primary outcomes included rates of spontaneous abortion, small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and preeclampsia.

RESULTS

From a total of 44,708 deliveries, 148 pregnancies involving mothers with epilepsy and a control group of 1480 normal pregnancies were compared. The rates of spontaneous abortion, PTB, LBW, and cesarean section were slightly but significantly higher in the study group with a relative risk of 6.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-23.3), 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.2), 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.3), and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-2.1), respectively, whereas other adverse outcomes were comparable. In the subgroup analysis, adverse outcomes tended to be higher in women with active epilepsy. However, only the rates of SGA in the group in which the disorder is active and PTB in the presence of seizures within 6months of conception were significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies with epilepsy, even in cases with multidisciplinary care and no other risk factors, are still significantly associated with higher adverse outcomes.

Hypertensive pregnancy complications in women with epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs: a population-based cohort study of first pregnancies in Norway

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the risk of hypertensive pregnancy complications in women with epilepsy, with and without antiepileptic drugs, and assess the risk associated with the four most common antiepileptic drugs.

DESIGN

A population-based cohort study using linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Prescription Database. Women with epilepsy with and without antiepileptic drugs were compared with women without epilepsy.

SETTING

Norway, 2004-2012.

PARTICIPANTS

All first pregnancies of women with epilepsy and women without epilepsy were included.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measures were hypertensive pregnancy complications: a compound variable of any hypertensive disorder, gestational hypertension, mild pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, early onset pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets).

RESULTS

In total, 1778 pregnancies in women with epilepsy and 221 662 in women without epilepsy were analysed. 682 of the women with epilepsy used antiepileptic drugs, the most common in monotherapy being: lamotrigine (n=280), carbamazepine (n=94), levetiracetam (n=71) and valproate (n=51). There was an increased risk of any hypertensive disorder in women with epilepsy (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) and in the subcategory using valproat (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.4). The most frequent hypertensive complication was mild pre-eclampsia and the risk was increased in women with epilepsy (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and women with epilepsy with valproat (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 9.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with epilepsy have an increased risk of mild pre-eclampsia, but not for the severe types of hypertensive pregnancy complications. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam do not predispose for mild pre-eclampsia, whereas valproate was associated with an increased risk of mild pre-eclampsia.

Ectopic neurogenesis induced by prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure augments seizure susceptibility in adult mice

Recent clinical studies suggest that environmental insults, such as valproic acid (VPA) exposure, in utero can have adverse effects on brain function of the offspring in later life, although the underlying mechanisms of these impairments remain poorly understood. By focusing on the property of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) residing in the adult hippocampus, we identified the mechanism of increased seizure sensitivity in prenatally VPA-exposed adult mice. Furthermore, we found that voluntary exercise can overcome the adverse effects through normalizing VPA-induced transcriptome alterations in NS/PCs. We believe that our study provides insights for further understanding and developing treatment strategies for neurological disorders induced by prenatal environmental insults.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder often associated with seizure that affects ∼0.7% of pregnant women. During pregnancy, most epileptic patients are prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as valproic acid (VPA) to control seizure activity. Here, we show that prenatal exposure to VPA in mice increases seizure susceptibility in adult offspring through mislocalization of newborn neurons in the hippocampus. We confirmed that neurons newly generated from neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) are integrated into the granular cell layer in the adult hippocampus; however, prenatal VPA treatment altered the expression in NS/PCs of genes associated with cell migration, including CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (Cxcr4), consequently increasing the ectopic localization of newborn neurons in the hilus. We also found that voluntary exercise in a running wheel suppressed this ectopic neurogenesis and countered the enhanced seizure susceptibility caused by prenatal VPA exposure, probably by normalizing the VPA-disrupted expression of multiple genes including Cxcr4 in adult NS/PCs. Replenishing Cxcr4 expression alone in NS/PCs was sufficient to overcome the aberrant migration of newborn neurons and increased seizure susceptibility in VPA-exposed mice. Thus, prenatal exposure to an AED, VPA, has a long-term effect on the behavior of NS/PCs in offspring, but this effect can be counteracted by a simple physical activity. Our findings offer a step to developing strategies for managing detrimental effects in offspring exposed to VPA in utero.