Fertility rate of epileptic women at Kenyatta National Hospital
J G Kariuki1, M D Joshi, A M Adam
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Background:
Reproductive health issues of women with epilepsy (WWE) are complex and multifaceted, and both epilepsy and antiepileptic drug (AEDs) use may alter fertility and pregnancy outcomes in these women.
Objective:
To determine the fertility rate of women with epilepsy at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Neurology clinic, KNH, Nairobi, Kenya, between October 2006 and March 2007.
Subjects:
A total of 191 women with epilepsy (aged 15-49 years) who had been epileptic for at least one year were interviewed regarding their pregnancy and birth histories, and the information validated with medical records where available.
Results:
The general fertility rate (GFR) for reproductive-aged epileptic women for the three-year period (2003-2006) preceding the study was 46 livebirths per 1000 women-years (95% CI 35.13-63.59).
Conclusion:
Fertility rate in epileptic women is decreased by two thirds (compared to that of general population of women in Kenya). Reasons for this are probably miltifactorial.
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