title: The adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs in children.
abstract: Efficacy of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are often equivalent, hence selection of an AED is often determined by the adverse effects (AEs). The development of neurocognitive AEs is almost inevitable with use of AEDs, especially in high-risk groups. Teratogenesis with major or minor malformations is of great concern during the first trimester of pregnancy, but an increasing body of information suggests that potential neurocognitive developmental delay may also occur with use of AEDs in the latter part of pregnancy. Decreased bone mineral density has been found in adults and children receiving both enzyme-inducing AEDs and valproate, an enzyme-inhibiting drug. AEDs may influence the lipid profile, body weight, reproductive, hormonal and other endocrine functions, and sleep architecture. There are age-specific AEs related to pharmacokinetic differences that have been highlighted in this review with emphasis on the pediatric population. A classification of AEs using different parameters is also included.
authors.affiliation: St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Section of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA. skothare@drexelmed.edu
authors.forename: Sanjeev V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kothare
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaleyias
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008055:Lipids