EPILEPSY IN THE GRAVID-PERIPARTUM PERIOD: A LITERATURE REVIEW.

Maria Beatriz Cruz Macedo1; Victor Guilherme Pereira2; Rayssa Louza Cruz3; Nayara Brenda Batista de Lima4; Amanda Regina Florencio do Nascimento5; Gabriely Mayara de Barros Teles6

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects almost 3% of the world’s population, resulting in continuous epileptic seizure tendencies, with cognitive, psychological and social consequences. Epilepsy is a common neurological disease during pregnancy and can have maternal and fetal effects. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the complications caused by epilepsy during pregnancy and its effects on the mother and fetus. METHODOLOGY: This is an integrative literature review carried out in August 2023, using an exploratory and descriptive methodology (PEREIRA, et al., 2018). It includes stages such as establishing the theme and criteria for selecting the sources to be used, data analysis, selection of thematic material, interpretation of results and presentation of the relevant aspects obtained from the review. Initially, studies were searched in the electronic databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline). Initially, the following descriptors were selected: Epilepsy; Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complications. Using the Boolean operator “AND”. RESULTS: Epilepsy affects approximately 0.3% to 0.4% of pregnant women. In addition, approximately ¼ of women with epilepsy are of childbearing age. The consequences of this disease in pregnancy result from the risks inherent in treatment and due to the dangers arising from the seizure itself, causing complications for women and the fetus, such as congenital malformations, behavioral disorders in the neonatal period and morphological defects. CONCLUSION: The importance of preventing seizures during pregnancy should be emphasized. It is necessary to seek a balance between seizure management and the teratogenic effects of drugs.

Keywords: epilepsy, pregnancy, pregnancy complications.