Are antiepileptic drugs harmful when taken during pregnancy?
According to recent experiences. There are no specific teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs in humans. Polytherapy is associated with malformations more often than monotherapy. This does not apply to minor anomalies. Concerns regarding neural tube defects because of intrauterine valproate--or carbamazepine--exposure can be met by. Taking a careful history regarding individual or family predisposition to defects or anomalies. Dividing the daily dose into several single doses. Folate supplementation prior and during pregnancy. Antenatal monitoring. Those minor anomalies (hypertelorism, distal digital hypoplasies), which may possible be induced by antiepileptic drugs harmonize or disappear during further development. Most minor anomalies, small body measurements, small head circumferences and cognitive dysfunction are not caused by ingestion of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.
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Department of Neurology, Rudolf Virchow Clinics, Free University of Berlin, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
D000927:Anticonvulsants