Antiepileptics and the development of congenital anomalies.
We are conducting a prospective cohort study of epilepsy and pregnancy to determine the nature and extent of adverse pregnancy outcomes in infants of mothers with epilepsy (IME). Women with epilepsy were enrolled no later than the first trimester and were matched with controls; their infants were examined at 8 weeks by pediatricians blinded to maternal status. A number of variables were compared between case and control infants: birth weight, length, gestational age, head circumference, Apgar scores, feeding difficulties, neonatal irritability, and presence of major malformations and minor anomalies. The number of minor anomalies per infant was greater for IME than for controls (mean, 5.05 and 3.65, p less than 0.0001 per infant, respectively). Prominent occiput was the only anomaly seen significantly more often in IME than in controls (p less than 0.05).
Yerby
M S
MS
Oregon Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Portland 97210.
Leavitt
A
A
Erickson
D M
DM
McCormick
K B
KB
Loewenson
R B
RB
Sells
C J
CJ
Benedetti
T J
TJ
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D005865:Gestational Age; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D006827:Hydantoins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011324:Primidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006827:Hydantoins; D011324:Primidone; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010634:Phenobarbital