title: Pregnancy and movement disorders.
abstract: The concurrence of pregnancy and movement disorders is an uncommon event in a general neurologic practice. Even at specialized movement disorder referral centers, there is insufficient experience to adequately guide management of pregnancy, except perhaps in the case of WD. The questions posed most urgently by patients regard the safety of medication, an issue on which there is insufficient data, and their ability to care for a child for at least the next decade, an issue that differs by disease and social situation. The author's formulation of efficacy and toxicity suggests that certain medications commonly used in movement disorders should be discontinued before pregnancy, if possible. These medications include neuroleptics, amantadine, diazepam, primidone, selegiline, and reserpine. Pregnancy may unmask a pre-existing potential for chorea (i.e., chorea gravidarum) and frequently has a mild exacerbating effect on symptoms of PD; however, it has little effect on other movement disorders. Severe generalized dystonia would probably interfere with vaginal delivery, but the scant existing data suggest minimal effect of movement disorders on pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick.
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Golbe
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents