Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth: population based cohort study -

Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth: population based cohort study
Information type: Other primary research
Source: British Medical Journal
Specialities: Neurological disorders | Obstetrics and gynaecology
Summary
In this Danish study of 983,305 pregnancies, there was an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in the 4700 (0.5%) of pregnancies exposed to antiepileptic drugs. However, the risk was not increased in women with epilepsy, only in women without a diagnosis of epilepsy.
UKMi comment
The study authors note that although these data support the use of continued antiepileptic drug treatment in pregnant women with epilepsy, high doses of antiepileptic drugs may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, especially when using high doses of valproate, clonazepam, and carbamazepine.
A related editorial states that although these findings are reassuring, studying the use of drugs in pregnancy is challenging and no confident conclusions can be made regarding safety.
Related links: Editorial