Epilepsy in Women

Epilepsy requires careful management and monitoring through a woman’s life Epilepsy is a complex disease. The hormonal changes women experience, both day–to–day menstrual fluctuations and the longer waxes and wanings of a reproductive lifetime, make the management of epilepsy even more complicated. At some point, the well–being of a second person, a fetus, might also have to be taken into account. Epilepsy in Women provides a detailed guide to this challenge. The wide–ranging approach encompasses all aspects of a woman’s life including:  Social and psychological impacts The impact in reproductive life Contraception Pregnancy Fetal health and long term developmental outcomes Lactation Menopause Each practical chapter begins and ends with a case study that demonstrates the more general challenge. The authors develop themes to provide clinical guidance based on evidence and experience. Written and edited by an international cast of experts, Epilepsy in Women provides crucial tips and recommendations for neurologists and gynecologists who need to be aware of the subtle effects of epilepsy on woman’s life.

Preface, vii Contributors, ix 1 Gender Difference in Epidemiology and Comorbidities of Epilepsy, 1 Ettore Beghi and Massimiliano Beghi 2 The Social and Psychological Impacts of Epilepsy, 11 Sanjeev V. Thomas and Aparna Nair 3 Neurosteroid influences on neuronal excitability: The menstrual cycle and catamenial epilepsy as dynamic models, 23 Doodipala Samba Reddy 4 Catamenial Epilepsy, 41 Erik Taubøll, Line S. Røste and Sigrid Svalheim 5 Impact of Epilepsy and AEDs on Reproductive Health, 53 Gerhard Luef 6 Contraception and Epilepsy, 64 Anne R. Davis and Kathleen M. Morrell 7 Diagnostic Challenges with Seizures in Pregnancy, 75 Sanjeev V. Thomas 8 Seizure Control During Pregnancy, 91 Anne Sabers 9 Effect of Pregnancy on AED Kinetics, 101 Peter B. Forgacs and Page B. Pennell 10 Fetal and Maternal Risks with Seizures, 115 Vilho K. Hiilesmaa and Kari A. Teramo 11 Obstetrical Outcome and Complications of Pregnancy, 128 Ingrid Borthen and Nils Erik Gilhus 12 Mechanisms of Teratogenic Effects of AEDs, 136 Lynsey E. Bruce, Ana M. Palacios, Bogdan J. Wlodarczyk and Richard H. Finnell 13 Major Congenital Malformations in Offspring of Women with Epilepsy, 148 Dina Battino and Torbjörn Tomson 14 Fetal AED Syndromes, 164 Usha Kini 15 Postnatal Cognitive Development, 170 Evan R. Gedzelman and Kimford J. Meador 16 M anagement of the Postpartum Period and Lactation, 184 Autumn M. Klein 17 M anagement of Epilepsy and Pregnancy, 196 Sanjeev V. Thomas, Torbjörn Tomson and Cynthia L. Harden 18 Perimenopause and Menopause, 200 Cynthia L. Harden 19 Bone Health, 205 Alison M. Pack Index, 211