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Approximately 15 million women with epilepsy worldwide are of childbearing age, making management of epilepsy in pregnancy a global public health issue. The possibility of harmful effects of exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in fetal life is a major concern for women with epilepsy, their families, and their physicians. However, uncontrolled major seizures during pregnancy can also have devastating consequences. A recent survey in the United Kingdom suggested a 10-fold increase in mortality in pregnancy in women with epilepsy compared to women without epilepsy, mostly due to sudden unexpected death,1 highlighting the importance of effective seizure control during pregnancy. Thus, consideration should be given to potential adverse effects of both treatment and seizures on the fetus as well as the mother. The challenge is to select effective treatment while minimizing risk to both the fetus and the mother.
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- © 2014 American Academy of Neurology
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