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Obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with epilepsy in Poland — a two-centre study
, 1, 2, 1, 2
Affiliations- Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University of Krakow, Poland
- School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Ziołowa 45/47, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
open access
Abstract
Aim of the study. To report pregnancy, delivery and perinatal outcomes in women with epilepsy seen in university clinics in Poland. Clinical rationale for the study. Women with epilepsy are reported to be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and foetal outcomes.
Materials and methods. The following data was collected in 171 pregnant women seen in two university epilepsy clinics: epilepsy characteristics and treatment, seizure frequency, pregnancy outcomes, perinatal outcomes, and feeding method.
Results. The mean age of patients at the time of delivery was 28.8 years, and most women were nulliparous. Almost 80% of patients were on monotherapy and the majority were prescribed antiepileptic drugs with low teratogenic potential. 53.8% of patients were seizure-free during pregnancy. Half of the cohort delivered by caesarean section and the majority delivered in term. Nearly all newborns scored > 7 Apgar points. Major congenital malformation was diagnosed in only one foetus. Any adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcome was found in 13% of patients. Two thirds of women reported breastfeeding at any time.
Conclusions and clinical implications. Almost 90% of women continued antiepileptic therapy during pregnancy. 46% of patients had epileptic seizures during pregnancy. Any adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcome was found in 13% of women with epilepsy. The majority of patients delivered healthy babies. Further studies are needed to find risk factors for adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes in women with epilepsy in Poland.
Abstract
Aim of the study. To report pregnancy, delivery and perinatal outcomes in women with epilepsy seen in university clinics in Poland. Clinical rationale for the study. Women with epilepsy are reported to be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and foetal outcomes.
Materials and methods. The following data was collected in 171 pregnant women seen in two university epilepsy clinics: epilepsy characteristics and treatment, seizure frequency, pregnancy outcomes, perinatal outcomes, and feeding method.
Results. The mean age of patients at the time of delivery was 28.8 years, and most women were nulliparous. Almost 80% of patients were on monotherapy and the majority were prescribed antiepileptic drugs with low teratogenic potential. 53.8% of patients were seizure-free during pregnancy. Half of the cohort delivered by caesarean section and the majority delivered in term. Nearly all newborns scored > 7 Apgar points. Major congenital malformation was diagnosed in only one foetus. Any adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcome was found in 13% of patients. Two thirds of women reported breastfeeding at any time.
Conclusions and clinical implications. Almost 90% of women continued antiepileptic therapy during pregnancy. 46% of patients had epileptic seizures during pregnancy. Any adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcome was found in 13% of women with epilepsy. The majority of patients delivered healthy babies. Further studies are needed to find risk factors for adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes in women with epilepsy in Poland.
Keywords
epilepsy, women, pregnancy, delivery, perinatal outcomes
About this articleTitle
Obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with epilepsy in Poland — a two-centre study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Article type
Research Paper
Pages
62-65
Published online
2020-01-17
Page views
1372
Article views/downloads
396
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2020;54(1):62-65.
Keywords
epilepsy
women
pregnancy
delivery
perinatal outcomes
Authors
Magdalena Bosak
Bryan H. Song
Milena Dewerenda-Sikora
Agnieszka Słowik
Anetta Lasek-Bal
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