In utero exposure to vigabatrin: no indication of visual field loss.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether in utero exposure to vigabatrin caused visual field loss. Three mothers with four children who had been exposed to vigabatrin in utero and who were subsequently formula fed were identified. All seven individuals underwent perimetry and imaging of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). All individuals yielded reliable outcomes to perimetry and RNFL images of acceptable quality. Two of the three mothers exhibited vigabatrin-attributed visual field loss and an abnormally attenuated RNFL. The third exhibited an upper left quadrantanopia, consistent with previous temporal lobe surgery, and a normal RNFL. All four children yielded normal visual fields and RNFL thicknesses. The presence of the normal findings for the children is reassuring and, if representative, suggests a lack of vigabatrin visual toxicity and therefore obviates the need for ophthalmological examination of those exposed to vigabatrin prenatally.
Lawthom
Charlotte
C
Welsh Epilepsy Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Smith
Philip E M
PE
Wild
John M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055351:Retinal Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D020888:Vigabatrin