Neurological disease in pregnancy

Neurological disease presents a particular range of problems in pregnancy. The majority of these disorders are preexisting and may require a modification of therapy to ensure that a therapeutic effect is maintained while fetal and neonatal morbidity is avoided. The drug management of epilepsy presents particular challenges in pregnancy. Some neurological conditions occur more frequently in pregnant women, for example compression mononeuropathies, benign intracranial hypertension and cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis, whereas others, such as eclampsia, are unique to pregnancy. The investigation, diagnosis and appropriate management of neurological symptoms and signs in pregnancy require a knowledge of neuroanatomy, physiology of pregnancy and the appropriate application of neuroimaging and neurophysiological testing.