Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy (from Ancient Greek ἐπιληψία) is a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. Some definitions of epilepsy require that seizures be recurrent and unprovoked, but others require only a single seizure combined with brain alterations which increase the chance of future seizures. Epileptic seizures result from abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 90% of epilepsy occurs in developing countries. Epilepsy becomes more common as people age. Onset of new cases occurs most frequently in infants and the elderly.  As a consequence of brain surgery, epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients. 88% of patients with epilepsy, in a European survey, reported at least one anticonvulsant related side-effect. Most side effects are mild and "dose-related" and can often be avoided or minimized by the use of the smallest effective amount. Some examples include mood changes, sleepiness, or unsteadiness in gait. Some anticonvulsant medications have "idiosyncratic" side effects that can not be predicted by dose. Some examples include drug rashes, liver toxicity (hepatitis), or aplastic anemia. Safety includes the consideration of teratogenicity (the effects of medications on fetal development) when women with epilepsy become pregnant.

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy

Epilepsy And Pregnancy