Developing diagnostic criteria for the fetal anticonvulsant syndromes

The prevalence of congenital malformations and cognitive disorders in children whose mothers took antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy is increased, compared with the background rate. Not all such cases are due to teratogenic effects of the mother's treatment. Certain problems, including neonatal withdrawal symptoms, some malformations, characteristics facial features and a typical developmental and behavioural pattern may be indicators of a probable teratogenic event. We describe a set of diagnostic criteria which may assist in defining which children are likely to have a fetal anticonvulsant syndrome. This may help future research to identify risk factors which predispose to an adverse fetal outcome.