Refractory status epilepticus spontaneously resolved by parturition

J Epilepsy Res. 2011 Mar 30;1(1):29-31. doi: 10.14581/jer.11006. eCollection 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Status epilepticus (SE) in pregnancy is very rare, and there are only a few case reports of refractory SE (RSE) during pregnancy. The patient was a 27-year-old primigravida woman with a 21-year history of seizures from cortical dysplasia. At 23 weeks of pregnancy, the patient's seizure frequency progressively increased, and the patient came to the ER in a confused mental state and with intermittent convulsive movements of her left arm. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed repeated seizures. She was admitted to the ICU, and continuous EEG monitoring was done. Treatment was immediately started with various anti-SE medications, but her SE was not controlled. A cesarean section was done, and SE spontaneously stopped two weeks after the parturition. Parturition may be beneficial and the best treatment option in pregnant patients with RSE.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Pregnancy; Refractory status epilepticus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports