Polytherapy in pregnant epileptic patient: The importance of "taking charge"

Numerous studies have shown that women with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have a higher incidence of an adverse pregnancy outcome than the general population. The medical efforts are directed mainly to the achievement of seizure control, but only seldom to take care for psychosocial problems. We present the case of a patient suffering from epilepsy, treated with more than one AED and followed throughout her pregnancy. A girl was born; no cognitive alterations, developmental retardation or medical issues were detected at birth or after three months. We believe that this case is interesting because points out that only proper and thorough information to the patient has allowed her to be motivated to undergo all the required checkups and to keep in touch with the medical staff of the outpatient's department, living her pregnancy carefree, feeling "cared for" and protected.