Abstracts

Rationale: One of the most common challenges in managing epilepsy in women of childbearing age is pregnancy. Misconceptions about pregnancy while having epilepsy raise concerns on issues from starting a family, to medication compliance. This study aims to assess the pre and post knowledge of women of childbearing age seen in the epilepsy clinic after given a learning assessment tool that addresses issues on pregnancy while diagnosed with epilepsy. Methods: Participants of this study were women of childbearing age, 18-50 y/o, seen in the Epilepsy clinic from April to June of 2017. Prior to being seen by their physician, eligible participants were asked to take a pre-test, composed of questions to assess their experience as well as general knowledge about pregnancy in epilepsy.  The clinic nurse administered the pretest.  Participants were then given a new 14-page booklet on pregnancy while managing epilepsy, with instructions for the patient to read at their own convenience.  Participants were called approximately a week after their visit to assess their post knowledge about pregnancy and epilepsy after they have read the handout. Patients were reassessed at a different time if they had not finished reading the handout. Descriptive analysis was performed. Exact binominal distribution method was applied to compare the proportion of dichotomous (“yes” or “no”) answers to pre and posttest questions. Results: A total of 71 respondents filled the pretest, while only 22 completed by responding to the post-test portion of the study.  Mean age of the participants was 33.59 (SD 9.05). Twenty-five out of 71 participants (35%) had a pregnancy while being diagnosed with epilepsy. More than half (56%) of respondents did not have any discussion on pregnancy and epilepsy prior to the study.  After reading the booklet more patients reported that women with epilepsy can breastfeed (2-sided p= 0.016). Reading booklet did not cause any statistically significant change in patient’s responses to other questions (91% on both pre and post test for question on having healthy pregnancies and babies, and 95% on pre-test improved to 100% for questions on need for frequent monitoring as well as taking extra precautions during pregnancy). Conclusions: The majority of the respondents (56%) did not have a discussion on pregnancy and epilepsy prior to reading the booklet. Most of the respondents knew that women with epilepsy have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, will need more frequent monitoring, and should take extra precautions during their pregnancies even prior to reading the booklet. A statistically significant change in response was observed regarding breastfeeding safety  and epilepsy after reading the booklet. This study highlights the need for routine discussion about issues regarding epilepsy and pregnancy in neurology clinics. Funding: No funding was received in support of this abstract.