Fits in Pregnant Women with Previously Controlled Epilepsy: A Cross Sectional Study

Background and Aim: Pregnant women with epilepsy require stability in maternal fits and antiepileptic drugs have potentially adverse effects in developing fetuses. Hypoxemia and blunt trauma cause convulsive fits which are treacherous to both maternal and fetus. Limited data available regarding frequency of fits in pregnant women with previously controlled epilepsy. The present study was carried out to evaluate the frequency of fits in pregnant women with previously controlled epilepsy. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 pregnant women with a previous history of epilepsy in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindifrom January 2021 to December 2021. The incidence of Fits during pregnancy was compared through a peripartum period (epoch 1) and during the postpartum period (epoch 2). Non-pregnant epilepsy women were enrolled as controls and were followed for 18 months period. A higher frequency of Fits was the prime outcome in epoch 1 compared to epoch 2. Administrated drugs such as antiepileptic drugs doses were compared. Results: A total of 70 pregnant and 60 controls women with epilepsy were enrolled. Out of 70, about 60 had a history of previous fits or Fits. The prevalence of fits was significantly higher during epoch 1 whereas in epoch 2, about 21% had Fits and 23% in control had Fits (Odd ratio: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.49-1.57). Of those 60, 22 (36.7%) of the pregnant subjects recruited had a history of eclampsia-related fits. An antiepileptic drug dose during pregnancy was changed in 69% of pregnant women and 29% in control (odd ratios; 6.41; 95% CI, 3.79-10.63). Conclusion: Our study found that the percentage of epilepsy diagnosed women had a higher frequency of fits during pregnancy compared to the postpartum period was comparable to the control group (non-pregnant) women. During comparable time periods, pregnant women experienced more changes in antiepileptic drug doses than non-pregnant women. Keywords: Fits, epilepsy, pregnancy