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Epilepsy in pregnancy: developmental outcome of offspring at 12 months
A M Leavitt1, M S Yerby, N Robinson
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Insights
Children exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy showed more minor anomalies and some developmental differences by 12 months. Further evaluation is ongoing to understand long-term outcomes in epilepsy and pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Epilepsy in pregnancy presents risks to both mother and child.
- Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly used but may have developmental effects.
- Understanding offspring outcomes is crucial for clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the developmental outcome of offspring exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero.
- To assess the immediate pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy.
- To compare developmental milestones between children exposed and unexposed to AEDs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study enrolling women with epilepsy (case group) and without epilepsy (control group).
- Enrollment occurred before conception or during the first trimester for cases, and during pregnancy for controls.
- 12-month developmental evaluation of 43 children in the case group and 41 in the control group.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in growth parameters were observed between groups.
- Children exposed to AEDs in utero had a higher mean number of minor anomalies.
- Preliminary findings indicate varied developmental differences, with some reaching statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- In utero exposure to AEDs may be associated with increased minor anomalies in offspring.
- Early developmental differences are noted, warranting further investigation.
- These preliminary findings highlight the need for continued monitoring through 3 years of age.
Abstract:
Women were enrolled in our prospective cohort study of epilepsy and pregnancy to determine the developmental outcome of offspring and the immediate outcome of pregnancy. Women with epilepsy (case group) were enrolled before conception or during the first trimester, and women without epilepsy or chronic illness (control group) were recruited during pregnancy. We have now completed 12-month evaluation for 43 children in the case group and 41 in the control group. We found no difference in growth parameters between the groups. The children in the case group had a higher mean number of minor anomalies than did those in the control group, and their features were consistent with those previously reported for children exposed to AEDs in utero. Developmental differences between the two groups varied, with some differences reaching statistical significance. The findings reported here are preliminary, since the children will be evaluated through 3 years of age.