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Fertility rate of epileptic women at Kenyatta National Hospital

J.G. KARIUKI, M.D. JOSHI, A. M. ADAM, T. O. O. ADAM, M. MACHOKI

Abstract


Background: Reproductive health issues of women with epilepsy (WWE ) are complex and multifaceted, and both epilepsy and antiepileptic drug (AE Ds) 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.

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The East African Medical Journal is published monthly by Kenya Medical Association.

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