Clinical Characteristics of Pregnant Women With Epilepsy-A Retrospective Multi Center Study

Background: Many women with epilepsy (WWE) become pregnant, so the control of seizures during pregnancy and the use of anti-epileptic drug (AED) may directly affect the outcome of pregnancy. This study retrospectively analyzed seizures, medications and pregnancy outcomes of WWE, in order to provide clinical basis for reasonable management of pregnancy in these women. Methods: Information, including seizures, medications during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes of WWE, was collected through telephonic follow-up and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 61 WWE, 26 cases had seizures during pregnancy. Among the WWE treated with monotherapy, the most commonly used AEDs were carbamazepine (29.27%), levetiracetam (31.71%) and lamotrigine (14.63%). Nine WWE had adverse pregnancy outcomes. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in WWE who had seizures within one year before pregnancy was significantly higher than WWE who were seizure-free within one year before pregnancy (c2=5.355, p=0.021). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in WWE who had seizures during pregnancy was also significantly higher than WWE without seizures during pregnancy (c2=7.155, p=0.007).Conclusions: A small number of WWE had adverse pregnancy outcomes, while the majority of them had relatively stable epilepsy control during pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy offspring. The main therapeutic drugs for WWE are new AEDs, represented by levetiracetam and lamotrigine, and the use of valproate sodium has been significantly reduced. Seizures within one year before pregnancy may be able to predict seizures during pregnancy.