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Dono F, Consoli S, Tappatà M, Evangelista G, Russo M, Lanzone J, Pozzilli V, Nucera B, Rinaldi F, Di Pietro M, Tinti L, Troisi S, Calisi D, D'Apolito M, Narducci F, Assenza G, Anzellotti F, Brigo F, Vollono C, Onofrj M, Sensi SL, Michelucci R. Autoimmune encephalitis during pregnancy: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge-A systematic review with individual patients' analysis and clinical recommendations. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1221-1240. [PMID: 37562964 PMCID: PMC10690706 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several reports have described the autoimmune encephalitis' (AE) possible onset during pregnancy. In this systematic review, we summarize the available data on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to AE during pregnancy, highlighting the associated maternal and fetal clinical outcomes. A systematic search of the literature was performed. The following databases were used: PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and CrossRef. The revision was registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD42022336357). Forty-nine patients were included. AE onset was mainly observed during the first and the second trimester of pregnancy with psychiatric manifestations and seizures as main onset symptoms. CSF analysis showed AE-specific autoantibody positivity in 33 patients (anti-NMDA receptor as the most frequent). EEG generally showed normal findings. MRI revealed pathological findings in less than half of patients. Tumor screening was positive in 14 cases. First-line immunotherapy (single or combined) was generally employed while second line was administered in a minority of patients. Levetiracetam was the most used antiseizure medication. Cesarean section was performed in 18 women. Most of the women had an excellent early outcome after delivery but 22 showed persistent neurological deficits in long-term follow-up. Fetal outcome was positive in 33 cases, whereas 12 cases of fetal death were reported. A logistic regression showed that no variable significantly influenced the odds of good/bad maternal and fetal clinical outcome. Diagnosis and treatment of AE during pregnancy is challenging. The rate of miscarriage in women with AE seems to be higher than the general population. In addition, mothers may show long-term neurological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies, and Technology – CAST‐University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Stefano Consoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies, and Technology – CAST‐University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Maria Tappatà
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Giacomo Evangelista
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies, and Technology – CAST‐University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies, and Technology – CAST‐University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Jacopo Lanzone
- Neurorehabilitation Department, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri FoundationInstitute of MilanMilanItaly
- Department of Systems Medicine, NeuroscienceUniversity of Rome Tor VergataRomeItaly
| | - Valeria Pozzilli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Bruna Nucera
- Department of NeurologyHospital of Merano (SABES‐ASDAA)MeranoItaly
| | - Fabrizio Rinaldi
- Department of NeurologyHospital of Merano (SABES‐ASDAA)MeranoItaly
| | - Martina Di Pietro
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Lorenzo Tinti
- Department of NeurologySan Gerardo Hospital ASST MonzaMonzaItaly
| | - Serena Troisi
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of NeuroscienceSantobono‐Pausilipon Children's HospitalNaplesItaly
| | - Dario Calisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Maria D'Apolito
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Flavia Narducci
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of MedicineUniversity Campus Bio‐Medico of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Giovanni Assenza
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of MedicineUniversity Campus Bio‐Medico of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Francesca Anzellotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of NeurologyHospital of Merano (SABES‐ASDAA)MeranoItaly
| | - Catello Vollono
- Unit of Neurophysiopathology and Sleep Medicine, Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and OrthopedicsIRCCS Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Catholic UniversityRomeItaly
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies, and Technology – CAST‐University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
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