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Abstract Details

Pediatric Neurologists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare for Adolescent and Young Adult Women with Epilepsy
Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology
Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)
087
To evaluate pediatric neurologists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) for adolescent and young adult women with epilepsy (WWE).
Prior qualitative research suggests gaps in care regarding SRH for adolescent and young adult WWE, including SRH counseling of suboptimal frequency, content, and quality.
Pediatric neurologists were invited to complete a 31-item online survey through national subspecialty listservs. We analyzed results using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and Fisher exact tests.

Two hundred eight pediatric neurologists completed the survey. Most respondents believed that pediatric neurologists should counsel WWE on: teratogenic antiseizure medications (99%, n=206/207), contraception-antiseizure medication interactions (96%, n=194/202), pregnancy (95%, n=198/206), contraception (89%, n=184/206), and folic acid supplementation (70%, n=144/205). However, significantly fewer respondents felt confident with such counseling (teratogenesis: 90%, n=188/208, drug interactions: 65%, n=133/208, pregnancy: 75%, n=156/208, contraception: 47-64%, n=96-134/208, p<0.05). Ninety-five percent (n=172/181) reported ever discussing SRH with typically developing adolescent and young adult WWE, compared with 78% (n=141/181) for WWE with mild intellectual disability (p<0.01). One third (n=56/170) of respondents who ever discussed SRH did not do so routinely. Respondents correctly answered 87% ± 5% of questions on general principles of SRH for WWE, 78% ± 4% of questions about teratogenic antiseizure medications, and 62% ± 7%  of questions about contraception-antiseizure drug interactions. The greatest barrier to SRH provision was time constraints (80%, n=149/186).  The majority (64%, n=119/186) identified potential solutions including longer appointment times, co-managing SRH with other specialties, and development of practice guidelines.

Findings reveal gaps in SRH provision by pediatric neurologists for adolescent and young adult WWE, especially for WWE with mild intellectual disability. Provider-identified barriers and recommended solutions may serve as targets to improve SRH for this population.
Authors/Disclosures
Laura A. Kirkpatrick, MD (UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)
PRESENTER
The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from American Epilepsy Society. The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from Child Neurologist Career Development Program. The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from Child Neurology Foundation. The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from Rosenau Family Research Foundation. The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from Society of Family Planning. The institution of Dr. Kirkpatrick has received research support from Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium. Dr. Kirkpatrick has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Meeting Attendee with One8 Foundation. Dr. Kirkpatrick has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Meeting Attendee with Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Kirkpatrick has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Meeting Attendee with Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium. Dr. Kirkpatrick has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant reviewer with Society of Family Planning. Dr. Kirkpatrick has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker with Norton Children's Hospital. Dr. Kirkpatrick has a non-compensated relationship as a Board of Directors member with My Epilepsy Story that is relevant to Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ interests or activities.
Elizabeth Harrison, MD (UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh) Dr. Harrison has nothing to disclose.
Yoshimi Sogawa, MD (Montefiore Medical Center) Dr. Sogawa has nothing to disclose.
Anne C. Van Cott, MD, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System/University of Pittsburgh) Dr. Van Cott has nothing to disclose.
No disclosure on file
Traci Kazmerski The institution of Traci Kazmerski has received research support from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The institution of Traci Kazmerski has received research support from NIH.