Good news for mums! A new study published in Lancet Neurology shows that taking prescription antiseizure medications during pregnancy does not have a negative impact on the neurological development of young children. This is particularly reassuring for women with epilepsy who are considering starting a family.

Background

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects over one million American women of childbearing age. In the past, the risks associated with first-generation epilepsy treatments made it difficult for women with epilepsy to have children. However, the landscape is changing, and this study aims to provide high-quality information about how antiseizure medications affect both the mother and the child.

Main Findings

The study followed women treated for epilepsy at twenty medical centers across the United States. Researchers assessed the effects of fetal exposure to antiseizure medications by testing the vocabulary, verbal comprehension skills, and ability to describe pictures of three-year-old children. The results showed that children of women with epilepsy who took these medications were just as good at verbalising and understanding language as children of women without epilepsy. This suggests that commonly used antiseizure medications like lamotrigine and levetiracetam pose low risks to cognitive development.

Dosage and Recommendations

Researchers also found that a high dosage of levetiracetam in the third trimester of pregnancy was correlated with negative effects on neurodevelopment. They recommend careful monitoring of blood levels and thoughtful dosing strategies for this medication. However, more research is needed to determine the risks of other less common antiseizure medications.

Other Considerations

Screening for mood and anxiety disorders is also important. The study found that increased maternal anxiety and, to a lesser degree, depression negatively affect newborns. Clinicians need to keep this in mind when treating pregnant women with epilepsy.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable information for women with epilepsy who are considering pregnancy, reassuring them that taking commonly prescribed antiseizure medications during pregnancy does not harm their child’s neurological development. More research is needed to fully understand the risks of other antiseizure medications. Nonetheless, this study represents an important step in advancing our knowledge in this area.