Changes in the Maternal Serum Inflammatory Parameters of Pregnant Women with Epilepsy

Objective: This study investigated the third-trimester maternal serum inflammatory status of pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE). Methods: One hundred-two PWWE and 102 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Data were retrospectively collected from hospital records between May 2020 and 2023. The results of monocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded. The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were calculated. The presence of seizures and receiving antiseizure medications during pregnancy were recorded. Results: Gestational age at delivery and birth weights of neonates were significantly lower in the epilepsy group than in the control group (p<0.001). The median NLR was 4.79 (2.36-10.50) in the polytherapy group and 2.87 (2.40-4.05) in the drug-free group, and this value was found to be statistically higher in the polytherapy group (p=0.025). No statistical significance was observed for NLR, CRP, SII, and SIRI values between the epilepsy group and the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that maternal serum inflammatory parameters did not differ between PWWE and healthy pregnant women. Having epileptic seizures or being seizure-free during pregnancy did not alter the maternal serum inflammatory status. Prospective large population studies conducted in the postictal acute and interictal phases are needed to reveal the effect of seizures on the inflammatory process in PWWE.