Fits in Pregnant Women with Previously Controlled Epilepsy: A Cross Sectional Study
Safia Gul, Imran Khawaja, Asiya Gul, Asad Khawaja, Ali Basharat
910
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Pregnant
women with epilepsy require stability in maternal fits and antiepileptic drugs
have potentially adverse effects in developing fetuses. Hypoxemia and blunt
trauma cause convulsive fits which are treacherous to both maternal and
fetus. Limited data available regarding frequency of fits in pregnant
women with previously controlled epilepsy. The present study was carried
out to evaluate the frequency of fits in pregnant women with previously
controlled epilepsy.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 pregnant
women with a previous history of epilepsy in the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Ayub
Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad
and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindifrom January 2021 to December 2021. The incidence of Fits
during pregnancy was compared through a peripartum period (epoch 1) and during
the postpartum period (epoch 2). Non-pregnant epilepsy women were enrolled as
controls and were followed for 18 months period. A higher frequency of Fits was
the prime outcome in epoch 1 compared to epoch 2. Administrated drugs such as
antiepileptic drugs doses were compared.
Results: A total of 70 pregnant and 60 controls women with epilepsy
were enrolled. Out of 70, about 60 had a history of previous fits or Fits. The
prevalence of fits was significantly higher during epoch 1 whereas in epoch 2,
about 21% had Fits and 23% in control had Fits (Odd ratio: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.49-1.57).
Of those 60, 22 (36.7%) of the pregnant subjects recruited had a history of
eclampsia-related fits. An antiepileptic drug dose during pregnancy was changed
in 69% of pregnant women and 29% in control (odd ratios; 6.41; 95% CI,
3.79-10.63).
Conclusion: Our study found that the percentage of epilepsy diagnosed
women had a higher frequency of fits during pregnancy compared to the
postpartum period was comparable to the control group (non-pregnant) women.
During comparable time periods, pregnant women experienced more changes in
antiepileptic drug doses than non-pregnant women.
Keywords: Fits, epilepsy, pregnancy
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Pregnant
women with epilepsy require stability in maternal fits and antiepileptic drugs
have potentially adverse effects in developing fetuses. Hypoxemia and blunt
trauma cause convulsive fits which are treacherous to both maternal and
fetus. Limited data available regarding frequency of fits in pregnant
women with previously controlled epilepsy. The present study was carried
out to evaluate the frequency of fits in pregnant women with previously
controlled epilepsy.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 pregnant
women with a previous history of epilepsy in the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Ayub
Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad
and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindifrom January 2021 to December 2021. The incidence of Fits
during pregnancy was compared through a peripartum period (epoch 1) and during
the postpartum period (epoch 2). Non-pregnant epilepsy women were enrolled as
controls and were followed for 18 months period. A higher frequency of Fits was
the prime outcome in epoch 1 compared to epoch 2. Administrated drugs such as
antiepileptic drugs doses were compared.
Results: A total of 70 pregnant and 60 controls women with epilepsy
were enrolled. Out of 70, about 60 had a history of previous fits or Fits. The
prevalence of fits was significantly higher during epoch 1 whereas in epoch 2,
about 21% had Fits and 23% in control had Fits (Odd ratio: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.49-1.57).
Of those 60, 22 (36.7%) of the pregnant subjects recruited had a history of
eclampsia-related fits. An antiepileptic drug dose during pregnancy was changed
in 69% of pregnant women and 29% in control (odd ratios; 6.41; 95% CI,
3.79-10.63).
Conclusion: Our study found that the percentage of epilepsy diagnosed
women had a higher frequency of fits during pregnancy compared to the
postpartum period was comparable to the control group (non-pregnant) women.
During comparable time periods, pregnant women experienced more changes in
antiepileptic drug doses than non-pregnant women.
Keywords: Fits, epilepsy, pregnancy