Overview
- An inquest into the June 2022 death of Megan Gardiner, 25 and 17 weeks pregnant, heard she and her family were never given a specific, tailored talk about her risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
- Epilepsy specialist Kim Morley testified that Gardiner had one of the most volatile forms of epilepsy with uncontrolled tonic-clonic seizures, which greatly increases SUDEP risk.
- Morley criticized advice to reduce Gardiner’s zonisamide without adding or switching medication, while a health-board representative said the neurologist relied on MHRA pregnancy guidance that favors lowering doses during pregnancy.
- Gardiner’s mother said they were not told about the danger of sleep seizures or that sleeping alone could raise risk, adding she would have co-slept or used monitors if warned.
- Doctors had discussed sodium valproate when other drugs failed, which Gardiner declined due to fetal risks, and the inquest heard she may not have realized it was proposed as a short-term step; Professor Philip Smith said he would have more frank talks with patients in future and the hearing continues.