Patient's question:
I've been married for over a year, and even with this condition, I didn't dare to have children. But now my family is urging me, and I want to know if epilepsy patients can have healthy babies.What kind of help is needed: Can epilepsy patients have healthy babies?
Doctor's answer:
People with epilepsy can also have healthy babies. However, there are a few points that should be noted.(1) Risk of generational inheritance
Epilepsy is generally not inherited across generations. The risk of fetal abnormalities is twice as high as in the general population. If both parents have epilepsy of unknown cause, it is advisable to consult a doctor before early pregnancy regarding generational inheritance. Children of parents with epilepsy have a 12-fold higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to the general population, increasing the likelihood of the child being affected.
(2) Pre-pregnancy counseling for all young women with epilepsy
It is essential to consult a doctor and undergo pre-pregnancy counseling. This is particularly important to assess the risk of generational inheritance, potential epilepsy seizures during pregnancy, and how the use of antiepileptic drugs may affect the child. When planning to have a child, thorough preparation ensures the best possible outcome for the baby.