Status epilepticus in pregnant women with epilepsy after valproate adjustment: A case series

Valproate is an effective wide-spectrum anti-epileptic drug that is also known to be teratogenic. Its administration in epileptic women remains controversial. This report aims to draw more attention to valproate adjustment before and during pregnancy.

We collected medical records of pregnant women with epilepsy at West China Hospital in Chengdu, China who developed status epilepticus during pregnancy after valproate withdrawal or reduction in dose from January 2013 to July 2015.

A total of 281 pregnancies in patients with epilepsy were examined; 6 episodes of status epilepticus occurred during these pregnancies. Four patients with status epilepticus took long-term valproate before pregnancy. Among them, 2 patients stopped taking valproate 3 months prior to pregnancy, and 2 patients discontinued valproate or reduced their valproate dose when pregnancy was confirmed. All 4 suffered from a convulsive status epilepticus; 3 experienced an increased frequency of seizures. One child was diagnosed with neonatal asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and neonatal pneumonia.

Valproate adjustment prior to or during pregnancy may result in deterioration of seizure control, which may include resultant status epilepticus. Valproate during pregnancy increases the risk of major congenital malformations, but the significance of maintaining seizure control in pregnant women should be also taken into consideration. Open and careful discussion with every pregnant woman with epilepsy should discuss the risk-benefit ratio of epilepsy medications.