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Vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy: an instructive case

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Abstract

Background

Little is known about the safety of vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy.

Case Report

Herein we report the case of a young woman affected by childhood-onset partial epilepsy, obesity, and depression in which a malfunctioning of VNS was detected during pregnancy. Although device functioning was not optimal during the critical period of organogenesis, no morphological abnormalities of the fetus were detected.

Conclusion

A confirmation of VNS safety may increase its use during pregnancy, thus reducing possible systemic effects of antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants on the women and the baby.

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Disclosure

None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Neurology Department, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Corridoni, 11, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

    Grazia Salerno, Claudia Passamonti & Nelia Zamponi

  2. Obstetric and Gynecologic Department, Ospedale Sant’Eustachio, San Severino Marche, Italy

    Alessandro Cecchi

Authors
  1. Grazia Salerno
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  2. Claudia Passamonti
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  3. Alessandro Cecchi
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  4. Nelia Zamponi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia Passamonti.

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Salerno, G., Passamonti, C., Cecchi, A. et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy: an instructive case. Childs Nerv Syst 32, 209–211 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2897-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2897-x

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