Epilepsy in Women

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. CONTENTS 1 Gender difference in epidemiology and comorbidities of epilepsy Ettore Beghi Massimiliano Beghi 2 The Social and Psychological Impacts of Epilepsy Sanjeev. V. Thomas & Aparna Nair 3 The Menstrual Cycle Sex Hormones and Neuronal Excitability Doodipala Samba Reddy 4 Catamenial epilepsy Erik Taubøll, Line Sveberg Røste & Sigrid Svalheim 5 Impact of epilepsy and AEDs on reproductive health Gerhard Luef 6 Contraception and epilepsy Anne Davis & Kathleen Morrell 7 Diagnostic challenges with seizures in pregnancy Sanjeev V. Thomas 8 Seizure control during pregnancy Anne Sabers 9 Effect of pregnancy on AED kinetics Peter Forgacs & Page Pennell 10 Fetal and maternal risks with seizures Vilho Hiilesmaa & Kari Teramo 11 Obstetrical outcome and complications of pregnancy Ingrid Borthen & Nils E. Gilhus 12 Mechanisms of teratogenic effects of AEDs Lynsey E. Bruce, Ana M. Palacios, Bogdan J. Wlodarczyk & Richard H. Finnell 13 Major congenital malformations Dina Battino & Torbjörn Tomson 14 Fetal AED syndromes Usha Kini 15 Postnatal cognitive development Evan Gedzelman & Kim Meador 16 Management of postpartum period and lactation Autumn Klein 17 Management of epilepsy and pregnancy Sanjeev V. Thomas, Torbjörn Tomson & Cynthia Harden 18 Perimenopause and Menopause Cynthia Harden 19 Bone health Alison Pack