title: Early cognitive development in children born to women with epilepsy: a prospective report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this prospective study the early cognitive development of children born to women with epilepsy (n = 198) was assessed and compared to a group of children representative of the general population (n = 230).
  
  
  METHODS
  The children were assessed when younger than the age of 2 years using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales, either in their local participating hospital or in their home. The assessments were completed by an assessor who was blinded to whether the child's mother had epilepsy and to antiepileptic drug type.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children exposed to sodium valproate had a statistically significant increased risk of delayed early development in comparison to the control children. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant effect of sodium valproate exposure on the child's overall developmental level that was not accounted for by confounding variables. Delayed early development is also noted for children within an ad hoc group of less commonly utilized antiepileptic drugs, although conclusions cannot be drawn due to the size of this group (n = 13). Children exposed to either carbamazepine or lamotrigine in utero did not differ significantly in their overall developmental ability. Differences noted in specific developmental areas for these two groups were not statistically significant after the control for confounders such as socioeconomic status and maternal IQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with epilepsy should be informed of the risks posed to their potential offspring prior to pregnancy to allow for informed decisions regarding treatment. Children exposed in utero to antiepileptic drugs should be monitored throughout childhood to allow for early intervention when necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department Neurological Science, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bromley
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mawer
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Purdy
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McEwan
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clayton-Smith
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Gus A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid