Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2012, 2, 230-234 OJOG
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2012.23047 Published Online September 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojog/)
Pregnancy complications and outcomes in women
with epilepsy*
Mirzaei Fatemeh1#, Ebrahimi B. Nazanin2
1Physiology Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Received 21 March 2012; revised 26 April 2012; accepted 10 May 2012
ABSTRACT
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological
disorder. This is prospective study to investigate whe-
ther women with epilepsy have an increased risk of
fetal and maternal complications during pregnancy.
In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 50 pregnant
women who were presented for delivery at Afzalipour
Hospital, Kerman, Iran during 2003 to 2009 were
assessed. The groups were compared using the Stu-
dent’s t-test, and one-way-ANOVA for continuous
variables and the chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact
test if required) for categorical variables. P values of
0.05 or less were considered statistically significant.
All the statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS version 13 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) for
Windows. In 32 (64%) of cases no fetal complication
was found, in 5 cases (10.0%) intrauterine growth
retardation (IUGR), in 2 cases (4.0%) post-term labor,
in 2 cases (4.0%) fetal distress and in 9 cases (18.0%)
preterm labor were found. In 15 patients (30.0%) no
maternal complication was found; in 2 cases (4.0%)
pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), in 12 cases
(24.0%) preterm labor , in 4 cases (8.0%) bleeding, in
14 cases (28.0%) premature rupture of the mem-
branes (PROM) and in 3 cases (6.0%) other compli-
cations were detected. Given these findings and pre-
vious studies, it seems that epileptic women required
more care during pregnancy and the rate of maternal,
fetal and obstetrical complications are relatively high
among them.
Keywords: Epilepsy; Maternal Complications; Fetal
Complications
1. INTRODUCTION
However about half of epileptic women are those in fer-
tile ages, the effects of epilepsy, seizures attacks and an-
tiepileptic drugs on pregnancy is not still accurately clear.
Most of the women with epilepsy spend natural preg-
nancy duration and will have safe labor [1]. It is obvious
that a woman with epilepsy faces a variety number of
problems during her pregnancy. Thus, she should be in
contact with her physician, because delivery a healthy
baby will compensate this care. Fortunately more than
90% of epileptic women have successful pregnancy and
deliver healthy children [2].
One of the potential dangers during pregnancy is com-
plications of antiepileptic drugs, since some of these
drugs have side effects on fetus. Fortunately, there are
drugs with lower side effects on pregnant women which
they should consult their physicians for further informa-
tion. Decrease in amount or arbitrary discontinuation of
drugs during pregnancy not only decreases the dangers,
will increase the risk of seizure as well [3,4]. Prenatal
consult should be begun before starting pregnancy. When
a patient intends to be pregnant and her seizure attacks
are not controlled, her attacks should be controlled with
appropriate drugs, as it is possible. The assessment of
genetic history of the family is also important [5,6].
When there is not a clear genetic problem consults with
genetic specialist before pregnancy will be of great value.
Generally, the consult process should not perform in a
hurry. The most appropriate time for pregnancy is when
patients have been consulted before pregnancy, reevalu-
ated, her drugs have been set and her attacks have been
controlled [7]. Since it is not possible to definitely com-
ment about outcome of pregnancy in epileptic women,
they should be closely followed during pregnancy [8,9].
In previous studies on pregnant women with epilepsy
a variety number of complications have been reported
including preterm labor, small-for gestational age (SGA),
low birth weight (LBW) [10-13], spontaneous miscar-
riage, anemia, seizure during pregnancy [14], high rate of
cesarean section (CS), gestational diabetes, congenital
malformation, incidence of pregnancy induced hyperten-
*Disclosure of interest: None of the authors has conflict of interest.
#Corresponding author.

M. Fatemeh, E. B. Nazanin / Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2 (2012) 230-234 231
sion (PIH), need to labor induction and also high rate of
fetal malformation [15]. In a study by Harden C., in the
United States it is revealed that consumption of anti-
epileptic drugs during pregnancy will decrease preg-
nancy complications in women with epilepsy [13]. In
contrast, Meador K., et al. in a study in the United States
confirmed higher fetal complications in epileptic women,
and especially those consumed several drugs simulta-
neously [10].
In other study by Borna S., et al. in Iran in 2006, LBW
and obstetrical complications including preterm labor,
premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and pre-
eclampsia were two times more seen in epileptic women
compared to healthy group; however generally no chief
complication was detected [11]. In contrast, in a study by
Saleh K.M., et al. in Saudi Arabia in 2008, no significant
difference was confirmed for fetal complications be-
tween epileptic and non-epileptic women [12].
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
This is a descriptive cross-section study on 50 pregnant
women with epilepsy who were presented at Afzalipour
Hospital, Kerman, Iran during 2003 to 2009. Afzalipoor
hospital Institutional Research Review Board approved
the study; furthermore, the study was carried out under
the Health Ministry Ethics protocols. Data were collected
from the computerized perinatal database that contains
information recorded by an obstetrician, immediately
after delivery.
The clinical characteristics of the mother such as ma-
ternal age, gravidity, duration of epilepsy and frequency
of seizure, use of anti epileptic drugs were recorded in a
detailed check list.
The Outcome of interest in this study was PIH (preg-
nancy induced pregnancy), preterm labor, PROM (pre-
mature rupture of membrane), bleeding during of preg-
nancy, mode of delivery, neonatal birth weight. Gesta-
tional age was based on the last menstrual period (LMP)
and confirmed by ultrasound examination, prior to 20
weeks gestation. PIH include: preeclampsia, gestational
hypertension. Gestational hypertension was defined as
blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg on two measurements
taken at least 6 hours apart and after 20th week of gesta-
tion. Diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia were blood
pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg with proteinuria.
PROM was identified according to standard clinical
criterion, including the patient’s history, a presence of a
vaginal pool, a positive Nitrazine test, ferning, and the
amounts of amniotic fluid estimated by ultrasonography.
Preterm labor was attributed to the start of labor at gesta-
tional age of 20 - 38 weeks. IUGR was defined as fetal
birth weight leaser than 10th percentile for gestational
age.
Results were reported as mean ± standard deviation
(SD) or median for quantitative variables and percent-
ages for categorical variables. The groups were com-
pared using the Student’s t-test, and one-way-ANOVA
for continuous variables and the chi-square test (or
Fisher’s exact test if required) for categorical variables. P
values of 0.05 or less were considered statistically sig-
nificant. All the statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS version 13 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) for
Windows.
3. RESULTS
A total number of 50 women (mean age: 25.81 ± 5.26
years) were entered the study. The mean duration of epi-
lepsy was 8.38 ± 8.06 years; the mean frequency of sei-
zure was 1.53 ± 0.74. The mean gravidity and parity was
2.35 ± 1.25 and 1.8 ± 092. Thirty seven (74%) of patients
underwent cesarean section and 13 (26%) had natural
vaginal delivery (NVD).
In studied population 23 women (46.0%) did not re-
ceive any drug for epilepsy, 18 (36%) received only car-
bamazepine, 9 (18%) consumed more than one drugs and
33 (66%) received folic acid.
In 32 cases (64%) no fetal complication was record.
The most common fetal complication was preterm labor
in 9 cases (18%), followed by IUGR in 5 cases (10.0%).
The most common maternal complication was PROM
(28.0%), followed by PLP (24.0%), 15 cases (30.0%)
showed no maternal complications (Table 1).
In 62.2% of women underwent C/S and 69.2% of
women with NVD no fetal complication was found, no
statistical difference was found in fetal complication
Table 1. Absolute and relative frequency of fetal and maternal
complications among epileptic women.
Complications Number Percentage
IUGR 5 10
Post term 2 4
Fetal distress 2 4
Preterm 9 18
Fetal
complications
None 32 64
PIH 2 4
PLP 12 12
Bleeding 4 4
PROM 14 14
Others 3 3
None 30 15
Maternal
complications
Total 50 100

M. Fatemeh, E. B. Nazanin / Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2 (2012) 230-234 232
based on types of labor (P = 0.305). There was a signifi-
cant relation between antiepileptic drugs and fetal com-
plications (P = 0.001), and women who were under treat-
ment with carbamazepine showed lower fetal complica-
tions compared to others. No significant relation was
found between fetal complications and using folic acid (P
= 0.154) (Table 2).
A significant relation was confirmed between maternal
complications and kind of labor (P = 0.003), and the rate
of maternal complications was greater in women with
NVD and also patients with prenatal complications mostly
had NVD. There was no statistically significant associa-
tion between types of antiepileptic drugs and maternal
complications (P = 0.89) while a significant relation was
found between consumption of folic acid and maternal
complications (P = 0.004); the complication rate was
lower in women who consumed folic acid during pre-
gnancy (Table 3).
4. DISCUSION
Epilepsy and seizure are one of the most important dis-
eases during pregnancy. It is obvious that a woman with
epilepsy may suffer many problems during pregnancy.
Thus, she should be constantly in contact with her physi-
cian, because delivery of a healthy baby compensates
this care [2,3]. Fortunately, more than 90% of epileptic
women would have a successful pregnancy and deliver
healthy children; however it is not possible to definitely
make comment about this issue, these patients should be
followed frequently during pregnancy [4,5].
This study is designed to assess the outcome of preg-
nancy (maternal, fetal and obstetrical complications)
among women with epilepsy who presented to Afzali-
pour Hospital during 2003 and 2009.
In this study, in 32 (64%) of cases no fetal complica-
tion was found, in 5 cases (10.0%) IUGR was detected
which had no difference with low birth weight during
pregnancy, in 2 cases (4.0%) post-term labor, in 2 cases
(4.0%) fetal distress and in 9 cases (18.0%) preterm labor
were found. It seems that preterm labor is more common
during pregnancy. In continence with to our findings, in a
study by Chen Y.H., et al. in Taiwan in 2009, preterm
labor was found to be an important complication due to
epilepsy followed by SGA and LBW [8]. Meanwhile, in
other study by Borna S., et al. in Iran in 2006, LBW and
obstetrical complications including preterm labor, PROM
and preeclampsia were two times more seen in epileptic
women compared to healthy group; however generally
no chief complication was detected [11], which is similar
to our results. In contrast, in a study by Saleh A.M., et al.
Table 2. Association between fetal complication and kind of delivery, anti-epileptic drugs and folic acid in women with epilepsy.
Variables None IUGR Post-termFetal distress Preterm P value
Cesarean section 23 (62.2) 5 (13.5) 2 (5.4) 2 (5.4) 5 (13.5)
Kind of labor
NVD 9 (69.2) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 4 (30.8)
0.305
None 14 (60.9) 3 (13.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 6 (26.1)
Carbamazepine 16 (88.9) 0 (0.0) 2 (22.2) 0 (0.0) 2 (22.2) Antiepileptic drugs
More than one drug 2 (22.2) 2 (22.2) 0 (0.0) 2 (22.2) 3 (33.3)
0.001
Yes 20 (60.6) 5 (15.2) 2 (6.1) 2 (6.1) 4 (12.1)
Folic acid
No 12 (70.6) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 5 (29.4)
0.154
Table 3. Association between maternal complications and types of delivery, anti-epileptic drugs and folic acid in women with epi-
lepsy.
Variables None PIH PLP Bleeding Prom Others P value
Cesarean section 13 (35.1)0 (0.0) 12 (32.4)2 (5.4) 7 (18.9) 3 (8.1)
Kind of labor
NVD 2 (15.4) 2 (15.4)0 (0.0) 2 (15.4) 7 (53.8) 0 (0.0)
0.003
None 5 (21.7) 2 (8.7) 6 (26.1) 0 (0.0) 8 (34.8) 2 (8.7)
Carbamazepine 8 (44.4) 0 (0.0) 2 (11.1) 4 (22.2) 3 (16.7) 1 (5.6) Antiepileptic drugs
More than one drug 2 (22.2) 0 (0.0) 4 (44.4) 0 (0.0) 3 (33.3) 0 (0.0)
0.089
Yes 11 (33.3) 0 (0.0) 11 (33.3) 4 (12.1) 7 (21.2) 0 (0.0)
Folic acid
No 4 (23.5) 2 (11.8)1 (5.9) 0 (0.0) 7 (41.2) 3 (17.6)
0.004

M. Fatemeh, E. B. Nazanin / Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2 (2012) 230-234 233
in Saudi Arabia in 2008 no significant difference was
confirmed for fetal complications between epileptic and
non-epileptic women [12].
Regarding maternal complications, in 15 patients
(30.0%) no complication was found, in 2 cases (4.0%)
PIH, in 12 cases (24.0%) PLP, in 4 cases (8.0%) bleeding,
in 14 cases (28.0%) PROM and in 3 cases (6.0%) other
complications were detected. In a study by Thomas SV,
et al in India in 2008, it was illustrated that spontaneous
miscarriage, anemia and seizure are the most important
complications in pregnant women [13]. In other study by
Kats O., et al. in Israel in 2006, high rate of gestational
diabetes and congenital malformation was reported in
epileptic pregnant women [14]. In our study we also
found a considerable rate (74.0%) of cesarean section. In
a study by Richmond J.R., et al. in Canada in 2004, it
was revealed that the rate of PIH which required induc-
tion and fetal malformation is high in epileptic women;
we also found some cases of PIH in our study. In contrast
to our findings, in a study by Saleh A.M., et al. in Saudi
Arabia in 2008 no significant difference was detected for
maternal complications in epileptic and non-epileptic
women, they had totally 4 cases of seizure and 2 cases of
fetal disorders [12].
There was a significant association between maternal
complications and types of labor (P = 0.003); patients
with prenatal complications had more NVD, but a same
association was not found for fetal complications and
types of labor (P = 0.305).
Fetal complications and types of antiepileptic drugs
showed a significant relation (P = 0.001) and the fetal
complication rate was lower in those who consumed
carbamazepine. In a study by Meador K., et al. in the
United States in 2008, it was illustrated that fetal com-
plication are more in epileptic women especially those
consume several anti-epileptic drugs [10], which is simi-
lar to our findings.
No statistical association was confirmed between an-
tiepileptic drugs and maternal complications (P = 0.898),
in a study by Harden C., et al. in the United States in
2010, it was found that consumption of anti-epileptic
drugs during pregnancy can reduce complications [9],
our results also revealed lower complications in women
under treatment with carbamazepine.
There was no significant association between fetal
complications and consumption of folic acid (P = 0.154)
while a significant relation was found between maternal
complications and consumption of folic acid (P = 0.004),
and the complications was lower in those consumed folic
acid during pregnancy.
5. CONCLUSION
Given these findings and previous studies, it seems that
epileptic women required more care during pregnancy
and the rate of maternal, fetal and obstetrical complica-
tions are relatively high among them which implies the
necessity of targeted plans to reduce such complications.
Inability to follow some cases, low sample size and
inexistence of a control group are some limitations of
this study which are recommended to be considered in
further studies beside investigation about effects of other
factors on such complications.
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