Nonepileptic seizures in pregnancy

Neurology. 2000 Jul 12;55(1):120-1. doi: 10.1212/wnl.55.1.120.

Abstract

The authors report five patients with recurrent psychogenic seizures (PS) during pregnancy, with multiple emergency room visits and continued intake of antiepileptic drugs obtained from various sources, despite awareness of the psychogenic nature of their attacks and the risks of antiepileptic drug use in pregnancy. These patients demonstrate that preexisting PS may persist during pregnancy, and there will be patients who continue to take antiepileptic drugs despite awareness of the risks inherent to these treatments. New-onset or persisting PS with pregnancy can be indicative of serious emotional conflicts, and the child should be considered at risk.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / physiopathology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology*
  • Seizures / physiopathology*
  • Seizures / psychology*