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Dr. Bruna Nucera interviewed Dr. Andrea Cheng-Hakimian about a retrospective study that included 28 years of data from women with epilepsy who gave birth in Washington State.

This US study compared the relative occurrence of selected pregnancy outcomes and postpartum rehospitalizations among women with and without epilepsy and their infants. It used linked hospital records of women with deliveries in Washington State between 1987 and 2014. 

Women with epilepsy had increased risks of preeclampsia (RR 1.23; 95 % CI 1.08-1.41) and gestational diabetes (RR 1.18; 95 % CI 1.02-1.36). Their infants had increased risks of malformation (RR 1.23; 95 % C: 1.08-1.42) and small for gestational age (RR 1.39; 95 % CI 1.25-1.54) , and were nearly three times as likely to not be breastfed. 

Mothers (RR 5.25; 95 % CI 2.46-11.23) and their infants (RR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.41-1.89) required more ICU admissions during hospitalization for delivery and more postpartum rehospitalization, with greatest risk in the first six months. 

Maternal mortality (up to 2 years after delivery) was increased (RR 7.11; 95 % CI 2.47-20.49). Risks of preterm delivery and low birthweight increased over the study time period (p <.05). 

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