Preexisting neurologic diseases during pregnancy
-
What are the considerations for the management of preexisting neurologic diseases during pregnancy?
-
@palsh As a consequence of the immense growth in therapeutic options for neurologic disorders over the past decade, when a woman becomes pregnant, the question is no longer whether to continue or discontinue treatment of such disorders; rather, the issues are which treatments to continue and how they should be administered. The most important message is that in the ideal case, any woman with a known, preexisting medical condition—neurologic or other—should discuss her plans to become pregnant with her physician before she becomes pregnant.
This article addresses specific issues surrounding neurologic disease in pregnant women, beginning with a summary of key general considerations, proceeding to a review of the main neurologic complications that may arise in pregnant women who were previously free of neurologic disease, and concluding with a discussion of individual neurologic disorders in the context of pregnancy.