Risk of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with epilepsy (5 August 2024)

Summary

This multinational study of 4,511,267 pregnancies in JAMA Neurology aimed to assess the associations between maternal epilepsy, antiseizure medication use during pregnancy and risks of severe maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It found that:

• women with epilepsy were at considerably higher risk of severe maternal and perinatal outcomes and increased risk of death during pregnancy and postpartum.
• maternal epilepsy and maternal use of antiseizure medication were associated with increased maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

The authors identified an urgent need for enhanced counselling, perinatal support and access to specialised care for safe deliveries in all women with epilepsy.