The risks posed to babies born to mothers taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) could be reduced with pre-conception counselling according to national charity, Epilepsy Action. A study released this week shows a link between the taking the AED sodium valproate while pregnant and lowered IQ in children. The charity warns that women are not getting the pre-conception counselling they need to help avoid such risks.
The research (1) suggests that children born to women prescribed sodium valproate are more likely to have an average IQ six to nine points lower than other children. Sodium valproate, especially when taken with other AEDs, can lead to a greater risk of other neurological and physical disorders including autism and spina bifida.
Epilepsy Action welcomes this research but worries that such vital information is not being made available to women with epilepsy. A 2007 survey by the charity (2) revealed that only 21 per cent of women with epilepsy received any pre-conception counselling. The charity estimates that as many as 1,200 babies born to women taking sodium valproate are being put at risk every year in the UK.
Simon Wigglesworth, Epilepsy Action's deputy chief executive, said: "It is vital that women have the opportunity to discuss options open to them with their healthcare professional. We urge all women with epilepsy to seek pre-conception counselling well before planning a family.”
Around 5,000 women with epilepsy become pregnant every the year in the UK. The majority of women will experience uncomplicated pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. The aim in epilepsy care is that women achieve good seizure control while posing the minimum risk to the unborn child. Women should never stop taking epilepsy medication without consulting their doctor as this could be potentially harmful to their health and their unborn child.
Professor Gus Baker of the University of Liverpool's Division of Neurosciences and the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery said: “This latest research confirms our previous findings that there are risks associated with AEDs. It is vital that this is communicated to women with epilepsy, ideally before they consider having a family. It also highlights that pre-conception counselling should be an integral part of services for women with epilepsy.”
Epilepsy Action is the UK's largest member-led epilepsy organisation. Last year alone the organisation directly helped over 686,500 people through a range of services, including its Epilepsy Helpline, advice and information centre, and branch network.
1. Cognitive Function at 3 Years of Age after Fetal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs, Kimford J. Meador, M.D., Gus A. Baker, Ph.D.,et al, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 16 April 2009
2. The 2007 Ideal World for Women Survey was sent to 2000 women with epilepsy, aged over 16. Some 537 usable responses were returned, a response rate of 26.85 per cent.