[Fetal malformations in women with epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the frequency and appearance of fetal malformations in women with epilepsy and teratogenic risk of the antiepileptic drugs.


METHODS
This study is prospective and covers a 12-year period (1996-2007). During this time 107 women with epilepsy till their delivery were studied in the Clinic of Pregnancy in Risk of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Medical University of Pleven.


RESULTS
We found in 5 cases (4.76%) fetal and baby's malformations. We point out that during the pregnancy 4 of these 5 women with epilepsy had taken valproates, and the other one--carbamazepine. We found, that the neural tube defects were predominant in this cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that all pregnant women with epilepsy should be carefully followed during their period of pregnancy with the help of echocardiography, biochemistry and if it's necessary--amniocenteses. We should inform every pregnant woman with epilepsy for the benefits and risks of the long-term therapy with antiepileptic drugs.
Bozhinov
P
P
Bozhinova
C
C
Markova
C
C
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid