title: Epilepsy and pregnancy.
abstract: A retrospective study of 75 pregnant epileptic women compared with a parity, age and socioeconomic matched control group of women is presented. Deterioration of control of epilepsy during pregnancy occurred in 24% of women. Statistically significant obstetric complications noted were anaemia, premature labour, premature rupture of the membranes and postpartum haemorrhage. There was 2.5-fold increase in the incidence of congenital anomalies in the neonates, an increase in feeding difficulties and a reduced incidence of jaundice. There was no maternal or perinatal death. Refinements in management may further reduce the maternal and fetal morbidity in epileptic women who choose to become pregnant.
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants