Management of Parkinson's Disease During Pregnancy: Literature Review and Multidisciplinary Input

There are no standardized clinical guidelines for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD) during pregnancy. Increasing maternal age would suggest that the incidence of pregnancy in women diagnosed with PD is likely to increase.

To evaluate the evidence for the treatment of PD during pregnancy and to canvass opinion from patients and clinical teams as to the optimum clinical management in this setting.

This involved (1) a literature review of available evidence for the use of oral medical therapy for the management of PD during pregnancy and (2) an anonymized survey of patients and clinical teams relating to previous clinical experiences.

A literature review identified 31 publications (148 pregnancies, 49 PD, 2 parkinsonism, 21 dopa-responsive dystonia, 32 restless leg syndrome, 1 schizophrenia, and 43 unknown indication) detailing treatment with levodopa, and 12 publications with dopamine agonists. Adverse outcomes included seizures and congenital malformations. Survey participation included patients (n = 7), neurologists (n = 35), PD nurse specialists (n = 50), obstetricians (n = 15), and midwives (n = 20) and identified a further 34 cases of pregnancy in women with PD. Common themes for suggested management included optimization of motor symptoms, preference for levodopa monotherapy, and normal delivery unless indicated by obstetric causes.

This study demonstrates the paucity of evidence for decision-making in the medical management of PD during pregnancy. Collaboration is needed to develop a prospective registry, with longitudinal maternal and child health outcome measures to facilitate consensus management guidelines.