Women with epilepsy are at an increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and must continue taking medication throughout their pregnancies in order to address epileptic seizures. In animals, fetal exposure to antiepileptic drugs can produce behavioral deficits and cognitive deficits, alter neurochemistry, and reduce brain weight. Risks of medication exposure to the fetus must be balanced against potential risks to the mother and the fetus posed by epileptic seizures. Regardless, medication and seizures can both lead to stress and trauma on the mother/fetus. The researchers of this study aimed to help guide the choice of antiepileptic drugs in pregnant women to assess differential risks in pregnancy. A secondary purpose of this study was to address if
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As with any study, there were exclusionary criteria, including the following: positive tests for syphilis or HIV, progressive cerebral disease, other major diseases (e.g., diabetes), exposure to teratogenic agents other than antiepileptic drugs, poor adherence to antiepileptic drug use, and drug abuse. Researchers identified potential confounding variables such as maternal IQ, type of epilepsy, type/frequency of seizures, antiepileptic drug dose, compliance to protocol, alcohol/drug abuse during pregnancy, site location, infant birth weight, and child’s history of disease. The research assessors, who were completely blind to the drug exposure of the children, evaluated cognitive outcomes through the use of Mental Developmental Index of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (for children between 21 and 34 months of age) and the Differential Ability Scales (for children between 33-45 months of age). After, standardized scores were calculated. The research assessors used the
As with any study, there were exclusionary criteria, including the following: positive tests for syphilis or HIV, progressive cerebral disease, other major diseases (e.g., diabetes), exposure to teratogenic agents other than antiepileptic drugs, poor adherence to antiepileptic drug use, and drug abuse. Researchers identified potential confounding variables such as maternal IQ, type of epilepsy, type/frequency of seizures, antiepileptic drug dose, compliance to protocol, alcohol/drug abuse during pregnancy, site location, infant birth weight, and child’s history of disease. The research assessors, who were completely blind to the drug exposure of the children, evaluated cognitive outcomes through the use of Mental Developmental Index of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (for children between 21 and 34 months of age) and the Differential Ability Scales (for children between 33-45 months of age). After, standardized scores were calculated. The research assessors used the