Nonepileptic seizures in pregnancy.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Recurrent psychogenic seizures (PS) present unique challenges during pregnancy.
• Antiepileptic drug (AED) use in pregnancy carries known risks to fetal development.
• Patient adherence to treatment recommendations can be complex, especially with chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical course of five patients with recurrent psychogenic seizures during pregnancy.
• To highlight the challenges in managing psychogenic seizures in pregnant individuals.
• To underscore the potential risks associated with continued antiepileptic drug use in this population.

Main Methods:

• Case series reporting on five patients with psychogenic seizures during pregnancy.
• Review of medical records detailing seizure frequency, emergency room visits, and medication use.
• Clinical observation of patient awareness regarding seizure nature and treatment risks.

Main Results:

• All five patients experienced recurrent psychogenic seizures throughout their pregnancies.
• Patients made frequent emergency room visits and continued antiepileptic drug intake.
• Awareness of the psychogenic nature of seizures and AED risks did not alter patient behavior.

Conclusions:

• Preexisting psychogenic seizures can persist during pregnancy, requiring careful management.
• Some patients may continue antiepileptic drug use despite awareness of associated risks.
• New-onset or persistent psychogenic seizures in pregnancy may signal significant emotional conflicts, necessitating consideration of fetal risk.