title: Birth defects and epilepsy medication.
abstract: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological problems in pregnancy. Approximately one in 200 pregnancies is to a woman with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs. For the majority of women, pregnancy proceeds without any apparent difficulties but there is growing evidence of an increased risk of major malformations and later cognitive problems in children exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero. This review summarizes the available evidence for these risks and examines the implications of these in the counseling and treatment of women with epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Neusosciences Department, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK. n.adab@virgin.net
authors.forename: Naghme
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adab
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants