Maternal Age Factor in Epilepsy?

[um-adam]

Does anyone know if maternal age can be a factor in epilepsy? I am 37 and just gave birth to my fifth child in August. He has been having convulsions during his sleep since he was about 2 or 3 days old. One doctor remarked that my age might be a factor in my son's condition, so I was curious to know if anyone else has ever heard something like this.

[AnnaM]

I'm interested to hear any info on this as well. I had many losses (cause was never found) over the past decade...2 of my babies made it tho. Kaden at the age of 43, and my son Carson 2wks before my 45th birthday...My son Kaden has been having nocturnal seizures. We can trace back to age 2 1/2...but am also leary of a few incidences prior to the age of one, that may have been seizure related.

[Rae1889]

My mother was 18 or 19 when she had me. And I'm the one with E.

[momof3boys]

Well my mom was 26 when she had me, I was her first girl out of three girls. She was 38 when she had our little sister, who in August turned 18. For me having kids, I was 23 when I had our first, 24 when I had our second, and 25 when we had our third. Our youngest today being 5 yrs old, all three havnt had any problems with seizures or anything. I dont know if there is a history of seizures on either side of my parents family. I will have to ask.

[Nakamova]

Maternal age doesn't seem to be a strong factor. There's a slight link with the father's age: Fathers aged 35 years or more were a tiny bit more likely to have a child diagnosed with epilepsy compared to fathers aged 25–29 years.

There are other statistical links related to the mother's health: Pre-natal exposure to some maternal infections (things like cystitis, yeast infections, diarrhea, cough) corresponds to a slight increased risk for epilepsy in the child. Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia are also risk factors, as well as pre-term birth.

[ceresna92]

My mom had me when she was 21 and I am the oldest of four. I am the one with epilepsy. I am wondering though, is it harder to get pregnant if you have epilepsy?

[Nakamova]

Infertility is relatively common in women with epilepsy (fertility rates are decreased by about 1/3 in comparison to the general population). But it's unclear what the specific causes are, and they may vary from person to person. Medications might play a role, but seizure discharges may also be a factor by interfering with hormones. Also, polycycstic ovaries are common in women with epilepsy, which can also affect fertility.

[donnajane]

Can I just say what an interesting thread. I had my first bub at 38, my seocnd at 40 and my 3rd a 41 (2 months before I turned 42). My first 2 children are fine my 3rd the Nureologist's are still trying to work out whats going on. He has Shudder Syndrome and what looks liek Tonic Seizures, plus another type of seizure. They are waiting to see if he outgrows them as he is only 11 months old. He started having seizures around 6 1/2 months. My Husband is 6 years younger than me but we have since found out has a cousin with Epilepsy and a Nephew who has had one Epeliptic Seizure, quite large he was hospitlised, but none since and they haven't found any abnorlamlities. Interesting what comes out of the woodwork when you start digging. No Epilepsy on my side. Bub had the cord tight aroud his neck at birth and the midwife had to call for assistance so that abd the fact I had food poisoning when i was around 4 months pregnant play on my mind.
Donnajane

[AnnaM]

With both of mine I had gestational diabetes. My first son, Kaden - diabetes was controlled pretty well without meds, 2nd, Carson, I needed meds to control but became insulin resistant. When I had Kaden, induction had failed and his oxygen dropped. Had to be rushed in for c-sec. He was born with low oxygen and low blood sugar. My second son, Carson, he was born with low blood sugar. Always wondered about the low oxygen..if this could have affected him...Now I wonder given his seizures.

As an aside. I was also on 800mg of progesterone, and one baby aspirin a day. I had 10 losses prior to my sons - no cause ever being found. The progesterone and aspirin was a 'hail Mary', if you will, as it helps with much of the 'unknown' regarding illness/disease etc, so my specialist said. So, I wonder if taking the meds could have affected him as well, tho I also took same meds when I was pregnant with my son Carson, who is 2 now. He seems to be fine.