Abstract

The prevalence of epilepsy is 0.4–0.8% in the general population, with the incidence of epilepsy for childbearing women having been reported as 50 per 100,000. The exact incidence of epilepsy in pregnancy is unknown. It has been estimated that 3–5 births per 1000 will be to women with epilepsy. Epilepsy can affect the course of pregnancy, labour, delivery and alter fetal development whereas pregnancy can exacerbate epilepsy. Pregnancy with epilepsy is considered high risk mainly due to the teratogenic potential of antiepileptic drugs and increased risk of pregnancy and neonatal complications i.e. hypertension, preeclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, cesarean delivery, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery compared with general obstetric population. We report successful anaesthetic management of a pregnant patient with a history of epilepsy caused by post oligodendroglioma resection for emergency caesarean section.

Key words: Anesthesia, oligodendroglioma, epilepsy