Vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy: an instructive case.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Obstetrics
• Teratology

Background:

• Limited data exists on the safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in pregnant individuals.
• Investigating VNS use during pregnancy is crucial for maternal and fetal health.
• Pregnancy presents unique challenges for managing conditions like epilepsy, obesity, and depression.

Observation:

• A case report details a pregnant woman with childhood-onset partial epilepsy, obesity, and depression experiencing VNS malfunction.
• The VNS device malfunctioned during the critical period of fetal organogenesis.
• Despite the device's suboptimal functioning, the fetus exhibited no morphological abnormalities.

Findings:

• This case suggests that VNS may be safe during pregnancy, even with device malfunction during organogenesis.
• No teratogenic effects were observed in the fetus despite VNS system irregularities.
• The study highlights a potential for VNS as a safer alternative in pregnancy.

Implications:

• Confirming VNS safety in pregnancy could expand its clinical application.
• Increased VNS use may reduce the need for antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants, mitigating their systemic effects on mother and child.
• This research supports exploring VNS as a viable treatment option for pregnant women with specific neurological and mood disorders.