Seizure Disorders in Pregnancy

Seizure disorders may impair fertility. But certain antiseizure drugs may make oral contraceptives less effective, resulting in unintentional pregnancy.

The dose of antiseizure drugs may have to be increased during pregnancy to maintain therapeutic levels. If women get enough sleep and antiseizure drug levels are kept in the therapeutic range, seizure frequency does not usually increase during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome is good; however, risks of the following are slightly increased:

• Preeclampsia

• Fetal growth restriction

• Stillbirth

Generally, uncontrolled seizures are more harmful during pregnancy than is use of antiseizure drugs; thus, the top priority of treatment during pregnancy is to control seizures. Preconception consultation with a neurologist is recommended to stabilize maternal seizures before pregnancy. Clinicians should use the lowest possible dose of antiseizure drugs and as few different antiseizure drugs as possible.

Congenital malformations are more frequent in the fetuses of women with a seizure disorder (6 to 8%) than in fetuses of women in the general population (2 to 3%) (1). Risk of intellectual disability may also be increased. These risks may be related to the seizure disorder as well as use of antiseizure drugs.

Risk of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn

Vaginal delivery is usually preferred, but if women have repeated seizures during labor, cesarean delivery is indicated.

Antiseizure drug levels can rapidly change postpartum and should be closely monitored then.