EFFECTS OF MATERNAL EPILEPSY AND ANTIEPILEPTIC THERAPY IN WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of epilepsy and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment on pregnancy and the perinatal outcome, retrospectively.

METHODS

We examined the obstetric and fetal outcomes among women with epilepsy (WWE), who were followed-up at the Department of Neurology, and who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (n=91) between 31th December 2000 and 31th March 2014. Statistical comparisons of different obstetric and fetal parameters on a sample of 91 WWE and 182 non-WWE were assessed by the chi-square-test, the independent sample t-test.

RESULTS

The rate of major congenital malformations (MCMS) among the newborns of all AEDs exposed mothers was 7.69%. There were three peaks of seizures: during the third trimester, during delivery and in the puerperium. The prevalence of miscarriages, post-term birth and the rate of caesarean section were significantly higher among the WWE than among the non-WWE (p=0.001; p<0.001; p=0.02). Parameters of neonates (birth weight, birth length, head-, and chest circumference) were significantly different between the WWE group and the non-WWE group (p=0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001)

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast with recent publications, there were significant differences in the parameters of neonates between the two groups. Our results are in accordance with those of previous studies from the aspect of AED-related MCM, the elevated risk of miscarriages and pre-existing hypertension.