Vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy: an instructive case.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the safety of vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy.


METHODS
Herein we report the case of a young woman affected by childhood-onset partial epilepsy, obesity, and depression in which a malfunctioning of VNS was detected during pregnancy. Although device functioning was not optimal during the critical period of organogenesis, no morphological abnormalities of the fetus were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
A confirmation of VNS safety may increase its use during pregnancy, thus reducing possible systemic effects of antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants on the women and the baby.
Pediatric Neurology Department, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Corridoni, 11, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy.
Grazia
G
Salerno
Pediatric Neurology Department, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Corridoni, 11, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy. claudiapassamonti.psi@gmail.com.
Claudia
C
Passamonti
Obstetric and Gynecologic Department, Ospedale Sant'Eustachio, San Severino Marche, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Cecchi
Pediatric Neurology Department, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Corridoni, 11, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy.
Nelia
N
Zamponi
D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*
Epilepsy; Keywords; Pregnancy; Vagus nerve stimulation