Helping women with epilepsy become mothers: A neurologist's story

The fears that once haunted mothers-to-be with epilepsy – that their baby would be harmed, that they themselves might not survive – are now fading, thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment.

"Women with epilepsy can now safely carry a pregnancy to term. During pregnancy, they have fewer seizures, their children are born healthier, and rates of disability and mortality have also declined," Chen Lei, chief physician and professor in the department of neurology at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, said at a press conference on Friday.

Chen is the founder of the world's first diagnosis and treatment ontology database for women with epilepsy. In May, she was named one of China's "Most Beautiful Sci-Tech Workers," an honor recognizing scientists dedicated to innovation and public service.

Her research journey began in 2010, when she was expecting her first child. During a routine prenatal checkup, she met three pregnant women with epilepsy. They all asked the same questions:

"Will my child inherit epilepsy?"

"Could my medication cause birth defects?"

"Can I still breastfeed?"

As an expectant mother herself, Chen understood their worries. But as a neurologist, she realized she did not have clear, evidence-based answers.

At the time, there was little clinical guidance on managing epilepsy during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or throughout a woman's reproductive life.

Determined to change that, Chen reviewed the limited research available and went on to publish China's first clinical reference book on women's epilepsy, providing doctors with practical guidance.

That same year, she led the creation of Asia's first registry and long-term follow-up database for women with epilepsy, laying the foundation for years of research.

Her team's research has since gained international recognition. Through the International League Against Epilepsy, their findings have contributed to clinical guidelines used in China and around the world.

"I wanted to ease their fear more gently," she said, "so they could live their lives with more courage."

(Cover: Chen Lei, chief physician and professor in the department of neurology at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, speaks at a press conference, Beijing, China, July 3, 2026. /VCG)