In women of childbearing potential (WCP) on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), there is an increased risk of teratogenicity. This can potentially be reduced with folate supplementation. We evaluated the rate of co-prescription of AEDs and folate to WCP by non-epileptologist Neurology attendings and residents before and after an educational intervention. During the initial 3 month survey, 54 WCP were prescribed ≥1 AEDs. Prior to the intervention, the rate of co-prescription of AEDs and folate was 20.4%. This was higher when neurologists were prescribing AEDs for epilepsy (34.4%) versus other disorders (0%, p=0.02). In the 3 months following the intervention, 48 WCP received AEDs. The rate of co-prescribing folate increased to 64.6% (p<0.001). Neurologists treating epilepsy continued to be more likely to prescribe folate (86.4%) than neurologists treating other conditions (46.2%, p=0.006).
Keywords: Antiepileptic drug side effects; Fetal malformations; Pregnancy and epilepsy; Teratogenesis; Women and epilepsy.
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