UCB @ AOEC 2021: our commitment to women of childbearing age living with epilepsy

 
As the world’s neurology community eagerly anticipates the 13th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC), we’re reminded of the importance of continually connecting the brightest minds in the field to address the many challenges in epilepsy.

The epilepsies are a common group of neurological disorders that affect nearly 65 million people worldwide. The heterogenous nature of epileptic seizures can lead to a myriad of physical and psychological consequences, leading to a detrimental impact for a person’s quality of life. Despite the significant advancements in treatment options, people living with epilepsy will often need to consider the impact that their seizures can have on different aspects of their life, such as their jobs, hobbies or even those who are planning to start a family.

For women of childbearing age living with epilepsy, there are a few considerations that need to be taken into account; ranging from the impact of antiseizure medicines on pregnancy and on the health of the child, to how to best manage treatment during pregnancy to avoid seizures and changes of treatment effectiveness. There is often a level of uncertainty about the impact of their prescription medicines before and during pregnancy, with some patients still exposed to potentially teratogenic drugs. With this in mind, continuous education and evidence generation is needed for healthcare practitioners to be able to adequately inform patients who are pregnant or considering pregnancy, to ensure they are aware of all the options available to them.

At UCB, we have made it our mission to support and empower women of childbearing age to make the best decisions about their healthcare. This is in response to these unmet needs that patients are confronted by, before, during and after pregnancy. Whether it is by mapping out the patient’s journey through pregnancy; improving educational opportunities, or bolstering the data surrounding epilepsy and pregnancy, it is our absolute priority to fuel the future of epilepsy treatment and care for everyone who is affected by the disorder.

Challenges such as these signify the importance of gathering a host of medical specialists who are keen to integrate knowledge with the unified ambition of providing new opportunities for people living with epilepsy to live at their ideal. We’re looking forward to hearing more at this year’s AOEC.

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