Genetic risk perception and reproductive decision making among people with epilepsy

Epilepsia. 2010 Sep;51(9):1874-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02507.x.

Abstract

We investigated estimated offspring risk among people with epilepsy and factors important in the family-planning process. Data were collected for 88 participants using a questionnaire assessing perceived risk of offspring to develop epilepsy, importance of factors in the reproductive decision-making process, decision to have fewer children, and association between risk perception and family planning decisions. Thirty-four percent of participants had fewer children because of their epilepsy. Concerns about the ability to care for a child (p < 0.0001) and passing epilepsy onto a child (p = 0.003) were associated with the decision to have fewer children. The mean estimated risk of offspring to develop epilepsy was 26%, a 4-fold increase over estimated population risks. Genetic counseling may be beneficial for people with epilepsy, given the considerable overestimation of offspring risk.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Child of Impaired Parents / statistics & numerical data
  • Decision Making*
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / genetics*
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Female
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Probability
  • Reproductive Behavior / psychology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires