Kinder von Müttern, die während der Schwangerschaft Medikamente gegen Krampfanfälle und psychiatrische Erkrankungen einnehmen, können einem erhöhten Risiko für neurologische Entwicklungsstörungen ausgesetzt sein

>The current work — using data from more than three million children from the United Kingdom and Sweden, including 17,495 who were exposed to antiseizure medications during pregnancy — found that children exposed to the antiseizure drug lamotrigine in utero were at no additional risk for autism or intellectual disability compared with those exposed to other antiseizure medications. However, children exposed to valproate, topiramate, and carbamazepine were linked to specific neurodevelopmental issues.

>However, the absolute risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring is low, the researchers caution, regardless of antiseizure drug regimen. Compared to children unexposed to antiseizure medications, those exposed to the drug topiramate during pregnancy were 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with intellectual disability, which raises their risk to 2.1% by age 12. In comparison with other drugs available, the authors found very little data suggesting that the drug lamotrigine in pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental issues in offspring.

>According to the researchers, the data does not argue against use of antiseizure medications in patients who benefit, but rather encourages these patients to have a conversation with their doctor to determine if their course of treatment is most appropriate for

Paper: [Antiseizure medication use during pregnancy and children’s neurodevelopmental outcomes | Nature Communications](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53813-1)

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There mini-documentary on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) recently where they interviewed a woman with epilepsy who was swapping medications in anticipation of becoming pregnant.

Not surprising. I remember as a kid the lady who lived across the street from us had epilepsy and was pregnant, I imagine she couldn’t go off her medication throughout the pregnancy. Her baby was born with cerebral palsy and she never had any more kids after.