title: Safe use of valproic acid during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  I have an epileptic patient who plans pregnancy. It took us years to control her seizures, and valproic acid seems to be the only way to control them. What is the risk to her fetus?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common of the major anomalies associated with in utero exposure to valproic acid. About 1% to 2% of exposed fetuses suffer adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid