Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs

Source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Area: News Prenatal exposure to the majority of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been linked to an increased risk of major congenital malformations in a dose dependent manner. There is also evidence that prenatal exposure to sodium valproate (VPA) is associated with reduced cognitive functioning in the exposed child which has increased concern about the longer term influences of prenatal exposure to AEDs.   A prospective cohort study of children born to women with epilepsy (WWE) initiated in 2000, aimed to document physical health and cognitive development. Between 2000 and 2004, 628 pregnant women were recruited from antenatal clinics in the northwest of England. Over 99% of the cohort was Caucasian. The final results of this 11-year prospective study are reported for 528 (243 WWE and 285 controls) eligible pregnancies between 2000 and 2004. Of those exposed to AEDs in utero, 59 were exposed to carbamazepine (CBZ), 59 to VPA, 36 to lamotrigine (LTG), 14 to other monotherapy ...
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news