Mothers receiving anti-epileptic drugs are advised to deliver in hospital. Failure to take their medication, fatigue, and reduced drug absorption are factors associated with an increased risk of epilepsy at delivery.
Phenobarbitone, primidone, and the benzodiazepines are sedating, and infants may show withdrawal symptoms in the first few days of life.
The hepatic enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs produce a decrease in vitamin K dependent clotting factors. It is recommended that oral phytomenadione - vitamin K1 - 20 mg daily be given to such patients for at least one week before delivery and to the baby immediately after delivery.
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