Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41053829›Full record

ReviewNeurological research and practice2025

Epilepsy in women of childbearing age: a focused review.

Jan Heckelmann, Bettina Schmitz, Yvonne G Weber, Catrin Mann

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Neurological research and practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jan HeckelmannDepartment of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Bettina SchmitzDepartment of Neurology, Center for Epilepsy, Vivantes Humboldt Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
Yvonne G WeberDepartment of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Catrin MannEpilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt (Main), Goethe University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt, Germany. ca.mann@med.uni-frankfurt.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Epilepsy affects over 50 million individuals worldwide, a significant proportion of whom are women with epilepsy (WWE) of childbearing age. This population faces unique challenges related to hormonal fluctuations, e.g., during life stages such as breastfeeding or menopause. Antiseizure medications (ASMs) further complicate reproductive health by influencing menstrual function, contraception, pregnancy outcomes, bone health, and menopausal transition due to their teratogenic potential and hormonal interactive effects. Consequently, treatment strategies for WWE must consider these interactions and the risks associated with ASMs during pregnancy. This review aims to consolidate current data and guidelines for managing WWE throughout their reproductive years. These findings emphasize the importance of preconception counseling to optimize ASM regimens, ensuring both maternal well-being and fetal safety. Key recommendations from major international pregnancy registries are summarized to guide clinicians in selecting ASMs that minimize the risk of congenital malformations while maintaining effective seizure control. Additionally, this review explores the role of folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects and outlines contraceptive options tailored for WWE. In conclusion, comprehensive education on the implications of epilepsy for reproductive health is crucial for WWE. By fostering informed decision-making through personalized counseling and careful medication management before, during, and after pregnancy, healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and their children.

Indexed as

Antiseizure medicationContraceptionFolic acid supplementationPregnancySeizures

Identifiers

PMID41053829
PMCPMC12502381

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.