How to manage epilepsy during pregnancy

via contemporaryobgyn.modernmedicine.com

"Seizure disorders are common in women of childbearing age. Approximately 500,000 reproductive-aged women in the United States carry the diagnosis. It is estimated to affect 3–5 births per 1000 women but the exact incidence remains unknown.

Seizure disorder overview

A diagnosis of seizure disorder or epilepsy is made when 2 or more spontaneous, unprovoked seizures occur more than 24 hours apart. Epilepsy may also be diagnosed after one unprovoked seizure in women who have risk factors and have a high recurrence risk. If a person has been free of seizures for at least 10 years, without the use of anti-seizure medications in the previous 5 years, epilepsy can be considered resolved.

 Seizures are classified as either generalized or focal per the International League Against Epilepsy Commission on Classification and Terminology. Generalized seizures are the result of neuron activation in both hemispheres. Most convulsive generalized seizures are of the tonic-clonic type although they may also include myoclonic, clonic, tonic, atonic and absence seizures. Loss of consciousness occurs during all generalized seizures.

Focal seizures involve activation of neurons in one hemisphere and may or may not result in loss of consciousness. Absence seizures are non-convulsive generalized seizures and are notable for their short duration with motor arrest and lack of postictal confusion. They are associated with brief lapses of consciousness and are more common in children than adults..."

Learn more here:

http://contemporaryobgyn.modernmedicine.com/contemporary-obgyn/news/helping-your-epileptic-patient-1?cfcache=true