Birth defects and epilepsy medication

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological problems in pregnancy. Approximately one in 200 pregnancies is to a woman with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs. For the majority of women, pregnancy proceeds without any apparent difficulties but there is growing evidence of an increased risk of major malformations and later cognitive problems in children exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero. This review summarizes the available evidence for these risks and examines the implications of these in the counseling and treatment of women with epilepsy.

Keywords::

• antiepileptic drugs
• birth defects
• carbamazepine
• epilepsy
• lamotrigine
• major malformations
• neurodevelopmental delay
• pregnancy
• valproate