21 June, 2000
A NEW Pregnancy Register has been set up to find out more about the effects of anti-epileptic drugs in pregnancy.
Although 90 percent of epileptic women give birth to healthy babies, the anticonvulsant
drugs that are prescribed for epilepsy are known to carry a slight risk of causing birth defects.
The Pregnancy Register has been set up with the aim of finding out which anti-epileptic
drug is the best to use during pregnancy. Co-ordinator of the study Dr Jim Morrow said:
“There is a real need to determine which anti-epileptic drugs provide the best
seizure control for the mother, with the lowest risk of problems for her child.”
Epileptic women who become pregnant are urged to register themselves by calling the free
telephone number 0800 389 1248.
The phone lines will be available between 9am and 3pm and will be manned by specialist
nurses who will ask women to provide information about themselves and the epilepsy
treatment they take during pregnancy.
Read more about the implications of epilepsy during pregnancy:
- epilepsy.asp#pregnant affect my epilepsy?">Will
being pregnant affect my epilepsy? - Will
having epilepsy cause any complications in my pregnancy? - Is
it safe to carry on taking my medication? - What
if I have a fit while I’m pregnant? - What
if I have a fit while I’m in labour? - Can
I breastfeed my baby? - Will
my baby have epilepsy too?
Pregnancy&question=625">Click
here to read a question about anticonvulsant drugs in pregnancy answered by the
babyworld experts.
Share your concerns on our pregnancy
problems discussion board.
