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There is evidence that in utero exposure to teratogenic substances such as thalidomide and alcohol may increase the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD)1 and that prenatal development may be a critical time. Animal model, case study, and retrospective reports have demonstrated that exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero may also carry an increased risk for the development of ASD.2–5
Methods.
The Liverpool and Manchester Neurodevelopment group is currently undertaking a prospective study to investigate the effects of exposure to AEDs in utero. Between 2000 and 2006, 620 women were recruited from antenatal clinics in both Liverpool and Manchester. Information has been collected on 632 live births; 296 births were to women with epilepsy (including 6 twin pairs), 249 of whom were exposed to AEDs at the beginning of gestation. Within the exposed group, 64 children were exposed to sodium valproate (VPA), 44 to lamotrigine (LTG), 76 to carbamazepine (CBZ), 14 to other monotherapy treatments, and 51 to polytherapy treatments. The remaining 47 births were to women with epilepsy who were not on medication. In addition, information has been collected on 336 live births (including two twin pairs) born to women without epilepsy who were not …
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- AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS FOLLOWING IN UTERO EXPOSURE TO ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS
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