55 percent saw a neurologist in the year prior to delivery; they were more likely to be on a recommended antiseizure medication<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, Sept. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Just over half (55 percent) of pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) saw a neurologist in the year prior to delivery, according to a study presented at the American Neurological Association Annual Meeting, held from Sept. 13 to 16 in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
Chloe Hill, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues characterized neurologist care during pregnancy among 2,385 WWE with a delivery date within the study period.<\/p>\n
Overall, 55 percent saw a neurologist in the year prior to delivery. The researchers found that 59 percent of WWE were receiving one antiseizure medication (ASM) in the year prior to delivery, and 17 and 5 percent were receiving two and three or more ASMs, respectively; 19 percent had no ASM claims. Overall, 62 percent of WWE were receiving a recommended ASM, including levetiracetam, lamotrigine, and oxcarbazepine; 3, 10, and 0.3 percent were taking less favorable ASMs of valproic acid, topiramate, and phenobarbital, respectively. The likelihood of receiving a recommended ASM was increased for WWE who saw a neurologist (74 versus 48 percent), and they were less likely to stop taking their ASM (8 versus 33 percent). Use of a less favorable ASM and polytherapy were more common among WWE seen by a neurologist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis study of recent national data shows how many women with epilepsy may not be accessing the specialist care they need during pregnancy,\u201d Hill said in a statement. “Seeing a neurologist during pregnancy is one important means to promote clinical practice guideline-concordant care for pregnant women with epilepsy, which supports safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for women with epilepsy and their babies.”<\/p>\n