Epilepsy drug might harm fetuses
Children exposed to valproate in utero may face risk of lower IQs
By Nathan Seppa
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on SN Online April 15. Science News is reposting it as a way to communicate that, based on this study and other research, the American Association of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society decided on April 27 to recommend that women who have epilepsy avoid taking valproate during pregnancy.
“Good evidence shows that valproate is linked to an increased risk for fetal malformations and decreased thinking skills in children, whether used by itself or with other medications,” says Cynthia Harden, a physician at the University of Miami, a member of the American Academy of Neurology and one of the guideline authors.
The recommendations also counsel doctors to consider avoiding the epilepsy drugs phenytoin and phenobarbital for pregnant women, also to prevent the risk of cognitive damage to children.