Red cell folate levels in pregnant epileptic women.
Red cell folate concentrations were determined in 74 epileptic women in early pregnancy in a prospective study. All patients were treated continuously with antiepileptic drugs since before conception. The most frequently used drugs were carbamazepine (n = 39) and phenytoin (n = 26). Sixty-four patients (86%) were on monotherapy. Blood samples for red cell folate and antiepileptic drug concentrations were drawn before folate supplementation. Red cell folate levels in patients, 468 nmol.l-1, did not differ from those in non-epileptic, drug-free, pregnant women, 416 nmol.l-1 or from those in non-pregnant age-matched healthy controls, 412 nmol.l-1. No correlation was found between red cell folate concentrations and doses or plasma levels of phenytoin or carbamazepine.
Tomson
T
T
Department of Neurology, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lindbom
U
U
Sundqvist
A
A
Berg
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000097:blood; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D005492:Folic Acid