Evaluation of Seizures in Pregnant Women in Kerman, Iran
Published Oct 1, 2017 · H. Ebrahimi, Elahe Arabpour, Kaveh Shafeie
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Seizure occurs in 0.5 to 1 percent of pregnant women, marking it as one of the most prevalent serious neurological disorders during pregnancy. Women with epilepsy face a greater threat of pregnancy-related adverse effects. The effects of seizures on pregnancy and its maternal and fetal adverse effects, necessitates the study of the prevalence of pregnancy seizures, an issue ignored by previous studies conducted elsewhere. Method: The present study is a descriptive-analytical research. The participants included women who were referred to delivery centers of Kerman (public and private) for childbirth. The exclusion criteria were lack of cooperation and consent of the subjects for sitting the interviews. Results: Among 3,807 admitted pregnant women, 38 cases (1%) experienced epileptic seizures. Among the participants, 2,125 subjects were admitted to public hospitals and 1,682 subjects to private hospitals. Seizure recurrence remained constant in 58% of the subjects, declined in 21%, and increased in 21%. Twenty four cases (0.63%) had a history of prepartum seizures, and 14 cases (0.36%) experienced seizures for the first time during pregnancy, with eclampsia as the most prevalent cause. Patients of public hospitals had lower levels of education and higher number of epileptic seizures. Average age of patients experiencing epileptic seizures was lower than the non-epileptic cases. Seizures were observed more in nulliparous women. Conclusion: More than 6 in 1,000 pregnant women suffer from epilepsy. Eclampsia is the most prevalent cause. Epileptic seizures increased in 21% of epileptic pregnant women, and declined in 21% of the cases.