Epilepsy and pregnancy

Given the advantages of modern medical management, most pregnant epileptic women should experience no significant increase in seizure frequency. With good prenatal medical and obstetric care, complications of pregnancy and delivery in epileptic women differ little from those in the general population. In any case, monotherapy should be employed if possible, and anticonvulsant levels should be monitored closely during pregnancy and immediately after delivery. Dosage adjustments should be made appropriately. Since such an adjustment will usually be made in the second or third trimester, one would not expect it to produce an increased number of malformations. Trimethadione should be absolutely avoided and valproic acid used only with caution and with monitoring of alpha fetoprotein and uterine ultrasound. Although it is true that there is an increased incidence of malformations in children of epileptic women (with or without anticonvulsants), the great majority of these babies are normal. Vitamin K should be given to the mother before delivery, and the newborn should receive 1 mg vitamin K at birth. Unless the infant becomes symptomatic, breast feeding should be allowed. If seizures occur for the first time during pregnancy, the patient should be appropriately evaluated. Status epilepticus in pregnant women calls for aggressive and careful treatment. Finally, it should be remembered that oral contraceptives, especially the "mini pill," have a higher failure rate in women taking anticonvulsants. Discussing this problem with the patient is helpful.