Major malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
The offspring of women with epilepsy are at an increased risk of major congenital malformations, but the impact of the various contributing factors remains unresolved.


METHODS
In 1980 through 1998, the authors prospectively followed up 970 pregnancies in women with epilepsy at a single maternity clinic. Of their 979 offspring, 740 were exposed to maternal antiepileptic drugs (AED) during the first trimester of pregnancy and 239 were not exposed. Maternal AED levels and serum folate concentrations were measured at the end of the first trimester. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with the occurrence of major malformations in the fetuses and newborns.


RESULTS
Major malformations were detected in 28 fetuses (3.8%) exposed to maternal AED and in 2 (0.8%) not exposed (p = 0.02). After logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of major malformations was independently associated with use of carbamazepine (adjusted OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 6.0), use of valproate (4.1; 1.6 to 11), use of oxcarbazepine (10.8; 1.1 to 106), low serum folate concentration (5.8; 1.3 to 27), and low maternal level of education (3.0; 1.3 to 6.8). Major malformations were not associated with seizures during the first trimester (0.6; 0.1 to 2.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Major malformations in the offspring of mothers with epilepsy are associated with use of AED during early pregnancy, and also with low serum folate concentrations and a low level of education.
Kaaja
Erja
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Huch, Finland.
Kaaja
Risto
R
Hiilesmaa
Vilho
V
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity / Q000639:trends; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine