title: Neurobehavioral consequences of prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure.
abstract: Despite elevated rates of birth defects associated with prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure, pharmacotherapy is typically continued throughout pregnancy because of the risks posed to mother and child by recurrent seizures. Emerging data suggest that prenatal exposure to valproate or polytherapy may also be associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. However, our understanding of the longer-term sequelae of prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure remains incomplete. Improved understanding of the neurobehavioral consequences of prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure is essential to ensure accurate information is available for women with epilepsy planning a pregnancy, and to achieve optimal outcomes for mothers and children.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadebaum
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vajda
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reutens
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants