EAN 2023 | Epilepsy management recommendations for mothers during and after pregnancy

Bruna Nucera, MD, from Hospital of Merano, Merano-Meran, Italy, talks about the challenges involved in treating epilepsy during pregnancy and after birth, sharing recommendations for the protection of mothers and infants. After delivery of the baby, it is important to reduce epilepsy medication levels from the higher levels used during pregnancy because the drugs will remain in dynamic equilibrium in the breast milk. It is suggested that mothers breastfeed their child before taking medication, and if the baby is suspected to have been exposed to medication, breastfeeding can be combined with formula feeds to dilute exposure but retain the many benefits of maternal breastfeeding. Sleep deprivation in mothers with epilepsy, which can increase the risk of seizures, can be combated with family assistance for nocturnal feeding, not sharing the bed with the baby in case of seizures, among other possibilities. Recorded at the 9th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2023 held in Budapest, Hungary.

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