Does Epilepsy Affect Pregnancy?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Does epilepsy affect pregnancy? Seizures during pregnancy can cause:

Slowing of the fetal heart rate

. Decreased oxygen to the fetus. Fetal injury, premature separation of the placenta from the uterus (placental abruption) or miscarriage due to trauma, such as a fall, during a seizure.

Can you have a safe pregnancy with epilepsy?

Well, it’s time for the truth: Even though epilepsy can make pregnancy a bit more complicated,

most women with epilepsy have safe pregnancies and healthy babies

. Here are some common myths and facts about epilepsy and pregnancy.

Can a person with epilepsy have a baby?

Fortunately,

most women with epilepsy give birth to normal, healthy babies

. If you take precautions, your chance of having a healthy child is greater than 90%. There are increased risks. But working closely with your doctor can help minimize those risks.

Is epilepsy high risk pregnancy?

Can epilepsy medication affect fertility?

Epilepsy and certain anti-epileptic drugs

may also cause problems with fertility in men, including lower testosterone levels and lower sperm count

. People who are experiencing problems with fertility should speak to their doctor, as treatments are available.

How do you manage epilepsy during pregnancy?

In order to prevent convulsions during labour, proper seizure control should be achieved during the third trimester.

Benzodiazepines or phenytoin are found to be effective for seizure cessation during labour and delivery

. Phytomenadione should be administered immediately after birth to the newborn.

Can epilepsy patient get married?

A:

From a medical point of view, persons with epilepsy can marry

. However, in some countries there have been laws and in others even now there are laws that prevent persons with epilepsy to marry. It is important that the would be spouse of a person with epilepsy should be aware of the situation.

Can epilepsy be cured permanently?

They can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may cause confusion or loss of consciousness. Afterward, you may have no memory of a seizure happening.

There’s currently no cure for epilepsy

, but it can be managed with medications and other strategies.

What epilepsy drugs are safe in pregnancy?

A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that

lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra)

are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.

Can epilepsy be passed from father to child?


If a parent has idiopathic epilepsy, there is about a 9% to 12% chance that the child will also have epilepsy

. Although epilepsy that runs in families is uncommon, if a child has epilepsy, their brothers and sisters do have a higher risk of having epilepsy.

Is EEG safe in pregnancy?

EEG’s are safe and painless.

They are even safe in pregnancy

. At times, seizures may be evoked, but can easily be treated by the doctor.

Can lack of folic acid cause seizures?

Folic acid was initially suspected to be epileptogenic

1

, but that concern has been resolved, as research has demonstrated that

folic acid in less than supraphysiologic concentrations does not promote seizures

.

What is the life expectancy of a person with epilepsy?

Reduction in life expectancy can be

up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy

. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.

How does epilepsy affect the reproductive system?

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN EPILEPSY. Women with epilepsy have a

reduction in fertility

(7-9) of as much as two thirds of that expected (10), as well as reproductive endocrine disorders, menstrual cycle disturbances, and ovulatory dysfunction (11). The cause of lower fertility rates is multifactorial.

What is epilepsy caused from?

Epilepsy happens as a result of

abnormal electrical brain activity, also known as a seizure

, kind of like an electrical storm inside your head. And because your brain controls so much, a lot of different things can go wrong. You may have periods of unusual behaviors, feelings and sometimes loss of awareness.

What causes epilepsy during pregnancy?

Occasionally, some women have convulsions for the first time during pregnancy. Factors such as

hormonal changes, water retention and stress

are known triggers for seizures. Labor can increase stress in a woman affecting overall health.

Can you tell if your baby has epilepsy in the womb?


There have been some reports on the prenatal diagnosis of seizure-like fetal movement detected by real time ultrasonography or by the pregnant mother

(2, 3). In most of these cases, the seizure activity presented as obvious, rapid myoclonic jerking of the fetal extremities (2, 3).

Which famous person has epilepsy?

Can I donate blood with epilepsy?

Is epilepsy hard to live with?


Most people with epilepsy live a full life

. However, the risk of early death is higher for some. We know that the best possible seizure control and living safely can reduce the risk of epilepsy-related death.

What food should epileptics avoid?

If you have a sudden spike or crash in blood sugar, this could cause seizures. This is why it is generally best to avoid

high sugar, processed foods such as cookies, cakes, candy and white bread

. Ideally you should aim to follow a balanced diet which will release energy into your bloodstream at a slower, steadier rate.

What food is good for epilepsy?

  • Though there are no specific foods that help prevent seizures, whole grains and fruits are healthy options for people with and without epilepsy. …
  • Some people report that artificial sweeteners, like those found in candy, can trigger seizures.

Is epilepsy a mental illness?

Can epilepsy medication affect pregnancy test?

Conclusion.

Biochemical first trimester screening test results may be affected by anti-epileptic drug usage

, which may lead to misinterpretation of the risk level. Thus, validation of MoM values should be necessary in order to obtain optimal results.

What percentage of epilepsy is genetic?

About

30 to 40 percent

of epilepsy is caused by genetic predisposition. First-degree relatives of people with inherited epilepsy have a two- to four-fold increased risk for epilepsy.

What gender is most affected by epilepsy?

Worldwide,

men had a higher incidence of epilepsy compared with women

(10). Men were likely to be vulnerable to common risk factors such as brain damage (11).

Who is most at risk for epilepsy?

At what age does epilepsy appear?

Epilepsy can begin at any time of life, but it’s most commonly diagnosed in children, and people

over the age of 65

.

Can babies have seizures in the womb?

Can epilepsy be hereditary?

Which drug is contraindicated in pregnancy and epilepsy?


Valproate

. The AAN practice parameters concluded that valproate monotherapy possessed increased risk of MCMs compared to phenobarbitol, carbamazepine, phenytoin and lamotrigine [Harden et al. 2009b]. The AAN recommended avoidance of valproate in the first trimester of pregnancy due to this risk [Harden et al.

What is the best vitamin for epilepsy?

Is folic acid good for epilepsy?


Most experts agree that folic acid supplementation is a key preconception intervention, particularly in women with epilepsy who take anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)

. Primary prevention of neural tube defect through folic acid supplementation results in reduction of risk in an otherwise healthy population.

Why is folic acid important in epilepsy?

Conclusions: Folate deficiency is common in epileptic children on long term antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), contributes to poor seizure control and should be considered in the etiologic differentials of drug resistant epilepsy. Folate supplementation

improves seizure control

in these children.

What epilepsy drugs are safe in pregnancy?

A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that

lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra)

are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.

Can epilepsy medication affect pregnancy test?

Conclusion.

Biochemical first trimester screening test results may be affected by anti-epileptic drug usage

, which may lead to misinterpretation of the risk level. Thus, validation of MoM values should be necessary in order to obtain optimal results.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.