Counseling on the Need for Folic Acid in Adolescents With Epilepsy

Background and Objectives Folic acid is an important supplement to take for women with epilepsy on antiseizure medications (ASMs). Determination of baseline counseling given to women with epilepsy and the association with folic acid being recommended were evaluated. Factors surrounding the association were reviewed.Methods An exploratory retrospective review of women with epilepsy seen at a large Midwestern pediatric institution was performed between January 2018 and January 2020.Results Patients who received preconception counseling were more likely to be given a recommendation to take folic acid. Patients on more than 1 ASM were likely to receive counseling. Patient age and race were associated with having folic acid recommended.Discussion Providing preconception counseling for women with epilepsy is associated with an increased recommendation and prescription of folic acid. Further evaluation into possible disparities to receiving a folic acid recommendation is needed.