Epilepsy Drug, Valproate, Taken During Pregnancy Associated with Risk for Autism in Children

Researchers Say Doctors Should Warn their Patients

The epilepsy drug valproate may significantly increase the risk of autism in children whose mothers were taking the drug while pregnant, according to authors of a study to be published in Neurology, December 2nd.

The study is on-going, however the preliminary results from the 632 children being followed showed that of the children whose mothers took epilepsy drugs during pregnancy-nearly half the study group-9 have been diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, 4 of 7 children exposed to valproate in the womb developed autism, and the mother of a fifth child with the disorder took a combination of valproate and lamotrigine.

The children in the study were tested at 1, 3, and 6 years of age, and none of them had family histories of autism. Two thirds of the children were 6 years old when they were diagnosed.

The authors of the study, the Liverpool and Manchester Neurodevelopment Group, are advising that women who take these drugs during pregnancy should be informed of the possible risks of autism and discuss them with their doctor

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Published on Dec-1-08