Use of Antiepileptic Drugs During Pregnancy: Evolving Concepts.

ABSTRACT: Although prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is known to impart relatively higher risks of major congenital malformations, prospective studies have provided refined data that allow us to differentiate the risks of different types and doses of AEDs. As the number of AED prescriptions has dramatically increased in reproductive-aged women with a variety of neuropsychiatric indications, the evolving concepts learned from studies in women with epilepsy can be applied to a much larger group of pregnant women to improve child outcomes while maintaining maternal disease control. In addition to careful selection of the type of medication, the amount of fetal exposure at conception and in the first trimester probably matters across all AEDs. Some AED polytherapy regimens are not associat

SUBMITTER: Pennell PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5081129 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature