Familial aggregation of epilepsy and clefting disorders: a review of the literature.
Nine studies have attempted to address the issue of whether familial aggregation of epilepsy and clefting disorders exists. This is an important issue as a genetic predisposition to clefting among relatives of individuals with epilepsy could potentiate any teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The summary relative risk estimate derived from published studies does not show that epilepsy and clefting disorders aggregate in families. Rather, these studies suggest that the clefting abnormalities in offspring of women with epilepsy receiving AEDs are most likely related to a teratogenic effect of these medications.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77225.
J T
JT
Hecht
J F
JF
Annegers
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D013723:Teratogens
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013723:Teratogens