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Assessment of School-Aged Children of Mothers With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

Nirmeen Kishk1, Amr Hassan1, Nagwan Madbouly2

  • 1Neurology Department.

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|August 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero showed lower IQ scores, particularly in verbal and visual reasoning. Maternal IQ and valproate exposure were key factors influencing child intelligence.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) affects women of childbearing age.
  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly prescribed during pregnancy for epilepsy management.
  • Understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of in utero AED exposure is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate cognitive and behavioral domains in children exposed to AEDs in utero.
  • To analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in children of mothers with IGE.
  • To identify factors influencing neurodevelopment in children with prenatal AED exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative study of 40 school-aged children exposed to AEDs in utero versus 40 healthy controls.
  • Cognitive function assessed using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale.
  • Behavioral characteristics evaluated with the Child Behavior Checklist; EEG performed on mothers and children.

Main Results:

  • Children exposed to AEDs demonstrated significantly lower verbal reasoning, visual reasoning, and global IQ scores.
  • A positive correlation was observed between children's global IQ and maternal global IQ.
  • Maternal IQ and in utero valproate exposure were identified as significant independent factors affecting children's IQ; children's EEGs were normal.

Conclusions:

  • In utero exposure to valproic acid and maternal IQ are significant confounding factors impacting children's IQ.
  • Prenatal AED exposure, particularly valproate, may negatively affect cognitive development.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of genetics, maternal factors, and AEDs on child neurodevelopment.

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