Table of Contents
Can antiepileptic drugs cause birth defects?
However, previous studies consistently have found that babies born to women who take certain antiepileptic medications during pregnancy have an increased risk for birth defects. Studies have shown that valproic acid presents the most risk to the developing baby.
Which drug causes congenital anomaly during pregnancy?
Each of the following drugs or drug groups may cause birth defects in a developing fetus: ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors. angiotensin II antagonist. isotretinoin (an acne drug)
What is the main Foetal risk with antiepileptic drugs?
The frequency of major malformations, growth retardation, and midline heart defects, hypoplasia of the midface and fingers, known as anticonvulsant embryopathy, is increased in infants exposed to anticonvulsant drugs in utero.
Can epilepsy medication affect pregnancy?
Taking certain epilepsy medicines during pregnancy increases the risk of your baby being born with a with a physical birth defect. Some epilepsy medicines can also harm the baby’s growth or development. The highest risk is thought to be between weeks 1 and 13 of your pregnancy.
Are antiepileptic drugs safe to use in pregnancy?
A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.
Which antiepileptic drug is contraindicated in pregnancy?
Valproate is contraindicated in women of childbearing potential unless a pregnancy prevention programme is in place.
Which drug is contraindicated in epilepsy and pregnancy?
Valproate. The AAN practice parameters concluded that valproate monotherapy possessed increased risk of MCMs compared to phenobarbitol, carbamazepine, phenytoin and lamotrigine [Harden et al. 2009b]. The AAN recommended avoidance of valproate in the first trimester of pregnancy due to this risk [Harden et al.
What are the risks with pregnancy and carbamazepine?
Exposure to CBZ during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) (0.2% to 1% vs 0.1% in the general population),6–8 and its association with other major malformations has been clarified in a recent systematic review of 8 studies.
How do drugs affect a baby’s development during pregnancy?
Illicit Drugs Illicit drug use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems.
Which antiepileptic drug is not safe in pregnancy?
use of phenobarbital, topiramate, and zonisamide during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation (small for gestational age) for carbamazepine, gabapentin, oxcarbazepine, and pregabalin, the risks associated with use during pregnancy remain uncertain.
What causes congenital malformations?
Causes of congenital anomalies
- maternal nutritional status.
- exposure to chemicals, and possibly illicit drugs.
- maternal infections (e.g. rubella)
- physical factors, such as ionizing radiation and hyperthermia (49)
- chronic maternal diseases (e.g. diabetes)
Do antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of congenital malformations?
To identify the major risk factors for the increased incidence of congenital malformations in offspring of mothers being treated for epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy and, to determine the relative teratogenic risk of AEDs, we prospectively analyzed 983 offspring born in Japan, Italy, and Canada.
Do AEDs increase the risk of congenital malformations during pregnancy?
The risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) following gestational exposure to AEDs, particularly exposure at the time of conception and early trimester exposure, has been examined in many studies.
Do AEDs in uterine epilepsy cause MCM?
In this study which reports on the largest number of pregnancy outcomes for infants born to women with epilepsy, we found that almost 96% of infants exposed to AEDs in utero did not have an MCM. However, for those exposed to AEDs as part of a polytherapy regimen the MCM rate was significantly higher than for monotherapy exposures.
Is AED exposure during pregnancy safe for women with epilepsy?
EURAP was established in 1999. It prospectively collects data that assess risks associated with AED exposure during pregnancy. In this connection, Tomson et al 7 examined data from 7,355 pregnancies in 6,393 women with epilepsy who had been exposed to AED monotherapy at the time of conception.