Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the course of pregnancy and labour in women with epilepsy.
Material and methods: The study was carried out on 53 pregnant women with epilepsy who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the University School of Medicine in Lublin (group E).
Results: In the group of women with epilepsy there were observed more pregnancy complications. The mean birth weight of infants and the condition of the infant after birth evaluated were lower in the study group E according to Apgar score. The increased risk of congenital malformations and intrauterine foetal growth retardation were observed in children exposed to valproate or carbamazepine in monotherapy or combination of phenobarbital and phenytoin and the combination of phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone in polytherapy.
Conclusion: Women with epilepsy require appropriate pregnancy planning and appropriate neurologic and obstetric care preconceptionally and during pregnancy.