Genetic risk perception and reproductive decision making among people with epilepsy.
Publication/Presentation Date
9-1-2010
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.
Volume
51
Issue
9
First Page
1874
Last Page
1877
ISSN
1528-1167
Published In/Presented At
Helbig, K. L., Bernhardt, B. A., Conway, L. J., Valverde, K. D., Helbig, I., & Sperling, M. R. (2010). Genetic risk perception and reproductive decision making among people with epilepsy. Epilepsia, 51(9), 1874–1877. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02507.x
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
20163441
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article