Fertility rate of epileptic women at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health issues of women with epilepsy (WWE) are complex and multifaceted, and both epilepsy and antiepileptic drug (AEDs) use may alter fertility and pregnancy outcomes in these women. Objective: To determine the fertility rate of women with epilepsy at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Neurology clinic, KNH, Nairobi, Kenya, between October 2006 and March 2007. Subjects: A total of 191 women with epilepsy (aged 15-49 years) who had been epileptic for at least one year were interviewed regarding their pregnancy and birth histories, and the information validated with medical records where available. Results: The general fertility rate (GFR) for reproductive-aged epileptic women for the three-year period (2003-2006) preceding the study was 46 livebirths per 1000 women-years (95% CI 35.13- 63.59). Conclusion: Fertility rate in epileptic women is decreased by two thirds (compared to that of general population of women in Kenya). Reasons for this are probably miltifactorial.