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Epilepsy Drug Linked to Birth Defects
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Why is valproate, which is also used to treat some psychological disorders, so hazardous? The answer isn't clear, but Meador speculated that the drug may form molecules that bind to DNA and proteins in the body, adversely affecting the developing fetus.
What should doctors and pregnant mothers with epilepsy do?
Dr. Gholam Motamedi, an assistant professor of neurology at Georgetown University who was part of the large study group that contributed to the new research, said use of valproate should be limited. However, the research "provides evidence that perhaps at lower doses, and when there is no better option, valproate may not be that bad and can be used at lower doses," he added.
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Motamedi said it's important to note that the study only looked at a small number of women, and there are newer anti-epilepsy drugs that were not included in the research.
Future research will determine the full extent of birth defects, such as possible cognitive and development problems that only show up later in life, he said.
More information
Pregnant women who take epilepsy drugs are asked to join the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry (www.massgeneral.org ).
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Copyright © 2006 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 8/8/2006
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SOURCES: Kimford J. Meador, M.D., The Melvin Greer Professor of Neurology, department of neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville; Gholam Motamedi, M.D., assistant professor of neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Aug. 8, 2006, Neurology
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