Managing epilepsy in women of childbearing age - Polish Society of Epileptology and Polish Gynecological Society Guidelines

Neurologic Emergencies in Pregnancy

Neurologic emergencies in pregnancy require prompt evaluation and early, focused intervention to improve neurologic outcomes for the affected person and to avoid further injury. Neurologic events in pregnancy, although rare, present a time of extreme risk of permanent injury for the person who is pregnant. Therefore, obstetric clinicians should be well versed in the risk factors for potential neurologic events and understand the symptoms and events that should prompt evaluation for a neurologic event. In addition, they should support other specialties in aggressive and early neurologic care for the patient to improve outcomes while assessing fetal well-being and care optimization for the dyad. Obstetric clinicians can uniquely provide knowledge of changes in pregnancy physiology that can increase the risk of neurologic events, as well as change the treatment of these events. For all patients with neurologic events, "time is brain." Therefore, it is important to be aware of changes in common presenting pregnancy concerns that should prompt evaluation for other pathogeneses. Finally, pregnancy care teams should be prepared to begin the initial stabilization and management of acute neurologic emergencies, including seizure, stroke, and meningitis, while seeking aid from other medical and neurologic specialists who can support their care and interventions. Early and aggressive interventions for individuals with neurologic events during pregnancy and postpartum are critical to the overall well-being of the dyad.

The Rate of and Factors Associated with Delivery by Caesarean Section among Women with Epilepsy: Time Trend in a Single-Centre Cohort in Mazovia, Poland

Data from literature suggest that the rate of caesarean section (CS) in women with epilepsy (WWE) is higher than in the general population. In Poland, there is neither a national registry nor another data set to access the outcome of pregnancy in WWE. Therefore, we address this gap by prospectively studying CS rates among 1021 WWE pregnancies at a single centre, their trends over time, and factors increasing the likelihood of the CS. To determine whether the diagnosis of epilepsy itself increased this likelihood, mixed models were used to analyse the contributions of specific variables, including the presence of seizures at different pregnancy-related timepoints. Over 20 years, the mean rate of CS in WWE was progressively growing and was higher than in the general population in Mazovia (47% vs. 32%). Generalized seizures in the third trimester increased the likelihood of CS with the highest odds (OR 4.4). The most frequent indication for a CS was obstetric (58.1%), followed by epilepsy-related (25.2%). Almost half of women who indicated epilepsy as the sole reason for CS had no seizure during pregnancy, and nearly 70% did not have generalized seizures. This suggests the overuse of epilepsy as an indication of CS and encourages defining more strict criteria.

Two cases of anesthetics-induced epileptic seizures: a case report and literature review

Background

Anesthetics like propofol have been reported to be capable of controlling status epilepticus. However, we have observed during daily clinical work that some anesthetics can induce epileptic seizures. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships between anesthetics and epilepsy.

Case presentation

We collect and report two cases of anesthetics-induced epileptic seizures, in order to arouse attention towards this critical phenomenon. We also summarize the current research progress on this topic, analyze associations between anesthetics and epilepsy, and discuss the mechanisms underlying the associations. Two females, seizure-free for more than 3 years, presented with anesthetics-induced epileptic seizures and controlled by administration of Midazolam and Diazepam. By literature review, we included six studies which found that the occurrence of epileptic seizures has no relationship with the age/sex of patients, the surgery procedure, nor the type of anesthesia. It is closely related to the decreased blood concentration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the inadequate preoperative preparation.

Conclusions

Unnecessary surgery should be avoided for patients with epilepsy, and anesthetists should make careful selections on anesthetics and prepare adequately for surgery.

Epilepsy in Pregnancy—Management Principles and Focus on Valproate

An estimated 60 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, half of whom are women. About one-third of women with epilepsy are of childbearing age. The childbirth rate in women with epilepsy is about 20–40% lower compared to that of the general population, which may be partly due to a lower number of these women being in relationships. Lower fertility in women with epilepsy may be linked to the disease itself, but it is mainly a result of the treatment provided. Valproate, as an antiepileptic drug inhibiting histone deacetylases, may affect the expression of genes associated with cell cycle control and cellular differentiation. Evidently, this drug is associated with the risk of malformations although other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may also trigger birth defects, however, to a lower degree. Valproate (and to a certain degree other AEDs) may induce autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The main mechanism responsible for all negative effects of prenatal exposure to valproate seems inhibition of histone deacetylases. Animal studies show a reduction in the expression of genes involved in social behavior and an increase in hippocampal cytokines. Valproate-induced oxidative stress may also contribute to neural tube defects. Interestingly, paternal exposure to this AED in mice may trigger neurodevelopmental disorders as well although a population-based cohort study does not confirm this effect. To lower the risk of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, a single AED at the optimal dose and supplementation with folic acid is recommended. VPA should be avoided in women of childbearing age and especially during pregnancy.

Analysis of the Clinical Effects of Sodium Valproate and Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Women with Epilepsy during Pregnancy

Objective

To explore the clinical effects of sodium valproate and levetiracetam in the treatment of women with epilepsy during pregnancy.

Methods

The clinical data of 124 women with epilepsy during pregnancy who received monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in our hospital from September 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the type of medication taken by the patients, they were recorded as the sodium valproate group (the VPA group, n = 56) and the levetiracetam group (the LEV group, n = 68 cases). The effects and the maternal and infant outcomes after treatment were compared between the two groups. The neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cognitive function-related parameters (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and myelin basic protein (MBP)), and related inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α and interleukin- (IL-) 6) levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

Results

After treatment, the total clinical effective rate of the LEV group was 91.18% higher than that of the VPA group 73.21%, and the frequency and duration of seizures were lower than those of the VPA group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the probability of gestational hypertension, depression during pregnancy, low-weight infants, and neonatal deformities in the LEV group was lower than that in the VPA group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of NSE, MBP, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the two groups decreased, and the levels of BDNF increased, and the LEV group changed significantly compared with the VPA group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with sodium valproate monotherapy, levetiracetam is more effective in controlling seizures and improving maternal and infant outcomes in women with epilepsy during pregnancy and can effectively regulate their neurological and cognitive functions and reduce the serum inflammation factor level.

Antiepileptic Drug Treatment Patterns in Women of Childbearing Age With Epilepsy

Importance

Limited population-based data are available on antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment patterns in women of childbearing age with epilepsy; the current population risk is not clear.

Objectives

To examine the AED treatment patterns and identify differences in use of valproate sodium and topiramate by comorbidities among women of childbearing age with epilepsy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study used a nationwide commercial database and supplemental Medicare as well as Medicaid insurance claims data to identify 46 767 women with epilepsy aged 15 to 44 years. The eligible study cohort was enrolled between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013. Data analysis was conducted from January 1, 2017, to February 22, 2018.

Exposures

Cases required an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification-coded epilepsy diagnosis with continuous medical and pharmacy enrollment. Incident cases required a baseline of 2 or more years without an epilepsy diagnosis or AED prescription before the index date. For both incident and prevalent cases, focal and generalized epilepsy cohorts were matched by age, payer type, and enrollment period and then compared.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Antiepileptic drug treatment pattern according to seizure type and comorbidities.

Results

Of the 46 767 patients identified, there were 8003 incident cases (mean [SD] age, 27.3 [9.4] years) and 38 764 prevalent cases (mean [SD] age, 29.7 [9.0] years). Among 3219 women in the incident epilepsy group who received AEDs for 90 days or more, 3173 (98.6%) received monotherapy as first-line treatment; among 28 239 treated prevalent cases, 18 987 (67.2%) received monotherapy. In 3544 (44.3%) incident cases and 9480 (24.5%) prevalent cases, AED treatment was not documented during 180 days or more of follow-up after diagnosis. Valproate (incident: 35 [5.81%]; prevalent: 514 [13.1%]) and phenytoin (incident: 33 [5.48%]; prevalent: 178 [4.53%]) were more commonly used for generalized epilepsy and oxcarbazepine (incident: 53 [8.03%]; prevalent: 386 [9.89%]) was more often used for focal epilepsy. Levetiracetam (incident: focal, 267 [40.5%]; generalized, 271 [45.0%]; prevalent: focal, 794 [20.3%]; generalized, 871 [22.2%]), lamotrigine (incident: focal, 123 [18.6%]; generalized, 106 [17.6%]; prevalent: focal, 968 [24.8%]; generalized, 871 [22.2%]), and topiramate (incident: focal, 102 [15.5%]; generalized, 64 [10.6%]; prevalent: focal, 499 [12.8%]; generalized, 470 [12.0%]) were leading AEDs prescribed for both focal and generalized epilepsy. Valproate was more commonly prescribed for women with comorbid headache or migraine (incident: 53 of 1251 [4.2%]; prevalent: 839 of 8046 [10.4%]), mood disorder (incident: 63 of 860 [7.3%]; prevalent: 1110 of 6995 [15.9%]), and anxiety and dissociative disorders (incident: 57 of 881 [6.5%]; prevalent: 798 of 5912 [13.5%]). Topiramate was more likely prescribed for those with comorbid headache or migraine (incident: 335 of 1251 [26.8%]; prevalent: 2322 of 8046 [28.9%]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Many women appear to be treated with valproate and topiramate despite known teratogenicity risks. Comorbidities may affect selecting certain AEDs despite their teratogenicity risks.

Knowledge of pregnancy and procreation in women with epilepsy of childbearing age: A 16-year comparative study in Poland

Studies across countries and time periods have demonstrated insufficient pregnancy-related knowledge in women with epilepsy (WWE) of childbearing age. To assess the current state of such knowledge as well as the relevant time-related changes over 16 years in Poland, we conducted a study of WWE using a questionnaire developed in 2003. The participants were 656 WWE of childbearing age who completed online and paper-based questionnaires. The results were compared with those obtained in 2003. Overall, pregnancy-related knowledge improved significantly over 16 years. This improved knowledge was most evident in preconception use of folic acid and breastfeeding. However, even now, less than 40% of WWE believe that breastfeeding is possible in most cases. In 2019, pregnancy-related knowledge was positively correlated with participants' educational level and hometown size and negatively correlated with the frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Women completing the online survey had better knowledge than those who completed the paper-based survey. Indications for cesarean section, the possibility of using oral contraception and breastfeeding are the areas where knowledge in WWE remains inadequate, necessitating targeted educational activities.