title: Pharmacorefractory status epilepticus due to low vitamin B6 levels during pregnancy.
abstract: We report a patient with pyridoxine-dependent epileptic seizures during early childhood. She had been completely seizure free for 23 years until she became pregnant. During the week 14 of her pregnancy, status epilepticus developed and was refractory to antiepileptic drugs but responded to intravenous administration of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 levels were found to be decreased during pregnancy, although the patient reported continued and regular oral supplementation. Possible reasons for decreased vitamin B6 levels leading to status epilepticus are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Centre, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. schulzeb@nz.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schulze-Bonhage
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurthen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walger
authors.forename: Christian E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Elger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D011736:Pyridoxine