[Seizures in pregnancy: not always eclamptic seizures]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Obstetrics
• Oncology

Background:

• Seizures during pregnancy necessitate a broad differential diagnosis, encompassing both obstetric and non-obstetric causes.
• Potentially fatal conditions can underlie seizures in pregnant individuals, highlighting the need for comprehensive evaluation.

Observation:

• A pregnant woman at 31 weeks presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, initially suspected as eclampsia.
• Persistent seizures despite standard treatment prompted neuroimaging, revealing a high-grade glioma.

Findings:

• A high-grade glioma was diagnosed via biopsy in a pregnant patient experiencing refractory seizures.
• The patient delivered a healthy infant at 37 weeks gestation, followed by palliative treatment.

Implications:

• High-grade gliomas are a rare but critical consideration in the differential diagnosis of seizures during pregnancy.
• This case underscores the importance of investigating non-obstetric etiologies for seizures in pregnant women.