Risks of in utero exposure to valproate.

Antiepileptic medications are among the most commonly prescribed teratogenic drugs among women of childbearing potential. However, determining the exact number of women of childbearing age exposed to antiepileptic medications is difficult. One estimate, based on data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, suggests that from 2005-2007, there were 7 900 000 annual prescriptions for antiepileptic medications among girls and women aged 15 to 44 years, including 926 000 for valproate (12% of all antiepileptic medication prescriptions, irrespective of indication).

[1]  V. Smith,et al.  Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism , 2014, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education & Practice Edition.

[2]  Mogens Vestergaard,et al.  Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. , 2013, JAMA.

[3]  Marta García-Fiñana,et al.  The prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs , 2013, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

[4]  K. Meador,et al.  Fetal antiepileptic drug exposure and cognitive outcomes at age 6 years (NEAD study): a prospective observational study , 2013, The Lancet Neurology.

[5]  M. Werler,et al.  Influencing clinical practice regarding the use of antiepileptic medications during pregnancy: Modeling the potential impact on the prevalences of spina bifida and cleft palate in the United States , 2011, American journal of medical genetics. Part C, Seminars in medical genetics.

[6]  S. Essock,et al.  Valproate prescription prevalence among women of childbearing age. , 2011, Psychiatric services.

[7]  M. Loane,et al.  Valproic acid monotherapy in pregnancy and major congenital malformations. , 2010, The New England journal of medicine.

[8]  W. Hauser,et al.  Practice Parameter update: Management issues for women with epilepsy—Focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): Teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes , 2009, Neurology.

[9]  K. Meador,et al.  Cognitive function at 3 years of age after fetal exposure to antiepileptic drugs. , 2009, The New England journal of medicine.

[10]  J. Clayton-Smith,et al.  AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS FOLLOWING IN UTERO EXPOSURE TO ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS , 2008, Neurology.

[11]  K. Meador,et al.  Pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published pregnancy registries and cohorts , 2008, Epilepsy Research.

[12]  P. Turnpenny,et al.  Characteristics of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome associated autistic disorder. , 2005, Developmental medicine and child neurology.

[13]  P. Turnpenny,et al.  A clinical study of 57 children with fetal anticonvulsant syndromes , 2000 .

[14]  J. Stockman.  Cognitive Function at 3 Years of Age after Fetal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs , 2011 .

[15]  J. Dungan.  Valproic Acid Monotherapy in Pregnancy and Major Congenital Malformations , 2011 .