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Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy pp 175–189Cite as

Antiepileptic Drugs, Cognition and Neurodevelopment

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Abstract

Antiepileptic drug exposure in utero may have adverse effects on the developing brain, as has been shown in experimental animals. Exposure in the first trimester of human pregnancy may be associated with the occurrence of physical malformations in the foetus but, in addition, foetal valproate exposure poses a significant risk for the cognitive development of the infant, an effect that is dose dependent. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine exposures appear to hold a lesser risk for cognitive development, while the risks associated with exposure to the other antiepileptic drugs are uncertain. Further, evidence has become available that intrauterine valproate exposure may be associated with the development of autism-spectrum disorder in childhood. Not enough data exists to clarify the situation in this regard for the other antiepileptic drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Neurology and Neuropharmacology, University of Queensland, and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    MJ Eadie (Emeritus Professor)

  2. Department of Medicine and Neurology Director of the Australian Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register, University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    FJE Vajda

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  1. MJ Eadie
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  2. FJE Vajda
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Eadie, M., Vajda, F. (2016). Antiepileptic Drugs, Cognition and Neurodevelopment. In: Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21434-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21434-4_10

  • Publisher Name: Adis, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-21433-7

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