title: Improving the prescription of folate to women receiving antiepileptic drugs.
abstract: In women of childbearing potential (WCP) on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), there is an increased risk of teratogenicity. This can potentially be reduced with folate supplementation. We evaluated the rate of co-prescription of AEDs and folate to WCP by non-epileptologist Neurology attendings and residents before and after an educational intervention. During the initial 3 month survey, 54 WCP were prescribed ≥1 AEDs. Prior to the intervention, the rate of co-prescription of AEDs and folate was 20.4%. This was higher when neurologists were prescribing AEDs for epilepsy (34.4%) versus other disorders (0%, p=0.02). In the 3 months following the intervention, 48 WCP received AEDs. The rate of co-prescribing folate increased to 64.6% (p<0.001). Neurologists treating epilepsy continued to be more likely to prescribe folate (86.4%) than neurologists treating other conditions (46.2%, p=0.006).
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: sharmaa8@UCMAIL.UC.EDU.
authors.forename: Anumeha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: CAVITTJL@UCMAIL.UC.EDU.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cavitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: PRIVITMD@UCMAIL.UC.EDU.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: briandmoseley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Moseley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D055656:Prescriptions; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Antiepileptic drug side effects; Fetal malformations; Pregnancy and epilepsy; Teratogenesis; Women and epilepsy