Status epilepticus en el embarazo: un estudio en diez casos

objective: to study the influence of status epilepticus in the course of pregnancy and the newborn？s health. method: we included all pregnant women with status epilepticus treated since 1998 to 2004. setting: "concepcion palacios" maternity. caracas. results: ten episodes of status epilepticus in eight women were included, most of the patients multigravidas. 50 % of cases occurred in the third trimester, 40 % in the second and only 10 % in the first trimester. in 50 % the determining factor was poor compliance or abandonment of anticonvulsant drugs. in 71.5 % a cesarean section was performed because of fetal or obstetric causes. seven women delivered eight babies, one of which died because of severe respiratory depression. no abnormalities were detected at birth. conclusion: probably the most important triggering factor of status epilepticus in pregnancy is poor compliance or abandonment of treatment. a higher frequency in the third trimester is an alert to maximize the clinical control in this period. the pregnant women with status epilepticus must be treated vigorously to control seizures and to allow the pregnancy to continue. there are no reasons to interrupt the pregnancy as a means to control seizures.