Researchers in the US Confirm Safety of Common Antiseizure Medications During Pregnancy
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) A group of researchers from the US has established that two frequently prescribed antiseizure medications -- lamotrigine and levetiracetam -- are safe for pregnant women.
Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder, is marked by sudden sensations of numbness, stiffness of the body, shaking, fainting, speech difficulties, and involuntary urination. While these medications enable many women to live normal lives, they can sometimes pose risks to the fetus.
In their study, scientists from Stanford University assessed the long-term impact of these drugs on children born to mothers who used one or both of these medications for epilepsy during their pregnancy. They evaluated outcomes at the age of 6 from a sample of 298 children whose mothers had epilepsy and a control group of 89 children born to healthy women.
The findings, published in JAMA Neurology, indicate that lamotrigine and levetiracetam provide a safer option compared to older antiseizure drugs like valproate, which have been linked to an increased risk of autism, reduced IQ, and other cognitive impairments in children.
The research team discovered that the verbal skills of children at age 6 were within the normal range for those whose mothers had taken either or both medications during pregnancy.
They also noted that there were no significant differences in various cognitive and psychosocial outcomes among 6-year-olds.
According to lead researcher Kimford Meador, Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, “The results for these newer medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam, are very promising.”
Meador further stated, “We didn’t observe any differences in outcomes between the children of women with epilepsy who used the newer drugs and those of healthy women, which is very promising.”
It is crucial to minimize seizures during pregnancy, as they can endanger both the mother and the fetus.
Thus, women with epilepsy are advised to seek care from neurologists and obstetricians experienced in managing the condition during pregnancy. Meador added that with appropriate care, “More than 90 percent of women with epilepsy can expect normal pregnancies and healthy children.”
