The notion that use of antiepileptic drugs by pregnant women increases the risk for major congenital malformations is not new, but the oversimplification of grouping all antiepileptic drugs together into the same risk category is outdated. Data have accumulated to show the differential risks for major congenital malformations, with the highest risk consistently associated with in-utero valproate exposure.1 The Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs study also concluded that the highest risk for impaired cognitive function at 6 years of age occurs in the children of women who took valproate during pregnancy compared with other antiepileptic drug monotherapies.
Original Article: [Comment] Prescribing antiepileptic drugs to women of reproductive age