Frequency of Fits in Pregnant Women with Previously Controlled Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy drug therapy advancements have resulted in an increasing number of childbearing age well-controlled epileptic women. It is not surprising then, that the impact of pregnancy on the progression of epilepsy has sparked renewed interest. Aim: The aim of current study was to evaluate the frequency of fits or seizure in pregnant women with previously controlled epilepsy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 98 pregnancies of 84 epileptic women during the period between August 2019 and August 2021in the department of neurology and gynaecology of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. All the pregnant women with less than three verified epileptic fits, pregnancy ended with abortion and incomplete seizure or fit frequency were excluded. All the patients were referred to Gynaecology and Neurology department for early pregnancy and planning by a neurologist and gynaecologist. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 23 with p<0.05 as statistical significance. Results: The association of fits frequency on pregnancy was studied and monitored in 84 epileptic women out of 98pregnancies. About 49 (50%) pregnancies were not affected by fits frequency. The fits frequency was increased in 36 (37%) pregnancies or puerperium while decreased in 13 (13%) pregnancies. Sleep deprivation or drug regimen on-compliances associated was increased in 30 (30.6%) pregnancies. Out of 19pregnancies, eight (42%) had improvement with sleep deprivation correction during none months pre-gestation. Antiepileptic drugs with low plasma concentration of uncontrolled epilepsy during pregnancy were found in 47%. Conclusion: Sleep deprivation, Non-compliance during pregnancy, and before and after pregnancy inadequate therapy all have a significant impact on the course of epilepsy during pregnancy. With proper medical care, pregnancy appears to have only a minor impact on the course of epilepsy. Keywords: Epilepsy, Frequency fits, Sleep Deprivation.