Vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy: an instructive case.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the safety of vagus nerve stimulation during pregnancy. CASE REPORT: Herein we report the case of a young woman affected by childhood-onset partial epilepsy, obesity, and depression in which a malfunctioning of VNS was detected during pregnancy. Although device functioning was not optimal during the critical period of organogenesis, no morphological abnormalities of the fetus were detected. CONCLUSION: A confirmation of VNS safety may increase its use during pregnancy, thus reducing possible systemic effects of antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants on the women and the baby.