A Clinical Study of New Onset Seizure Disorder in Peripartum Period

Abstract

Introduction: Wide range of physiological changes that take place in a pregnant woman during pregnancy or in puerperium can precipitate new neurological disorders. Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which complicate the peripartum period. This study was planned with an aim to study the clinical profile of new onset seizure disorders during the peripartum period. Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Gauhati Medical College & Hospital for one year period in 2015. All cases of new onset seizure in peripartum period were clinically studied. Results: Out of the 15,723 deliveries that took place during the study period, 134 women presented with new onset seizure in the peripartum period. Out of this 75.37% were diagnosed as eclampsia, 17.16% as stroke, tubercular meningitis and dyselectrolytemia was the cause in 2.73% each, and 1.49% of new onset seizure cases were suffering from encephalomyelitis and septic encephalopathy. Out of the 134 new onset seizure cases 126 presented with Generalized tonic clonic seizure. Discussion: There are very few published data on new onset seizure during peripartum period. The findings of this study points out to eclampsia as the major aetiological cause of new onset seizure followed by stroke. More such studies are required for a better understanding of new onset seizure disorder in the peripartum period.