The effect of pregnancy on the epilepsies: a study of 37 pregnancies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although studies have assessed the effect of pregnancy on epilepsy, usually the types of epilepsy are not differentiated and most have not included a control group, despite the natural history of epilepsy including fluctuations in seizure frequency. AIMS: To assess the effect of pregnancy on seizure frequency and compare this with changes in seizure frequency in non-pregnant patients. In addition, the relationship between seizure frequency during pregnancy and epilepsy type, seizure frequency prior to pregnancy and duration of epilepsy will be assessed. METHODS: Seizure frequency was assessed retrospectively in 37 pregnancies from 24 women by comparing the seizure number for the ..