New-onset Refractory Status Epilepticus Diagnosed in the Pregnant Woman and Treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Case Report

New-onset refractory status epilepticus ([RSE]; NORSE) represents a rare and severe clinical condition characterized by the presentation of prolonged seizure activity in a patient with no prior history of epilepsy, and exhibits a RSE without a discernible underlying cause. The literature on NORSE is notably limited, particularly concerning its incidence, underlying causes, and treatment strategies in pregnant women. Here, we presented a detailed clinical case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman who was diagnosed with NORSE at 15 weeks of gestation. This condition was diagnosed when the patient presented with continuous generalized tonic–clonic seizures showing slow pathological waves on the electroencephalogram, associated with neurologic deficits and no signs of abnormalities detected on the magnetic resonance imaging. The routine administration of antiepileptic drug therapy and anesthetic agents exhibited no improvement in seizure control. Subsequently, she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) therapy which significantly enhanced the patient’s seizure control. It is imperative to ensure precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment to minimize potential risks to both the mother and the fetus. Nonpharmacological epilepsy therapies like ECT may be effective during pregnancy. However, safety still has to be established.