What are the obstetric complications of pregnant women with epilepsy?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between epilepsy and reproductive outcomes
September 17, 2015|Epilepsy Resource Center
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Researchers identified 38 studies of pregnant women with epilepsy and compared women with epilepsy vs women without epilepsy. They found that pregnant women with epilepsy had increased odds of:
- Spontaneous miscarriage
- Antepartum hemorrhage
- Post-partum hemorrhage
- Hypertensive disorders
- Induction of labor
- Cesarean section
- Preterm birth
- Fetal growth restriction
The authors state that these increased risks should be taken into account when counseling women with epilepsy.
Viale L, Allotey J, Cheong-See F, et al; EBM CONNECT Collaboration. Epilepsy in pregnancy and reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2015; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00045-8.