Obstetrical complications in women with epilepsy.

PURPOSE

Better knowledge of risk factors for women with epilepsy giving birth.

METHOD

Investigating all studies reporting complications in pregnancy and deliveries in women with epilepsy during the last 15 years.

RESULTS

Studies have observed that women with epilepsy have a higher risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, bleeding in pregnancy, caesarean delivery (CD), excessive bleeding postpartum, preterm birth, and small for gestational age. It has been unclear whether the increased risk of complications is due to the epilepsy per se, the use of antiepileptic drugs (AED), or the combination of both factors. Recent studies strongly indicate an association between AED use, and complications in pregnancy and labour.

CONCLUSION

Newer drugs commonly used in treatment of epilepsy are associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, as well as complication during labour and delivery.