Treatment considerations during pregnancy for women with epilepsy

Women with epilepsy have many special considerations; one of the most important of these is the risk and management of pregnancy. Both recurrent seizures during pregnancy and antiepileptic medications may have adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Multiple registries of pregnancy outcomes for women with epilepsy worldwide are underway and data from these studies are emerging. Converging evidence from the registries thus far indicates an increased risk of major fetal congenital malformations with valproate exposure and one registry has shown an increased risk with phenobarbital exposure; further supporting evidence of the phenobarbital risk is needed.