New Research on Epilepsy
Researchers from the Neurology Research Group in the Swansea University Medical School found that exposure to # epilepsy drugs in the womb is linked to significantly poorer school test results among 7 year olds. Women with epilepsy who need drugs to control their seizures are currently advised to continue taking them during pregnancy because convulsions can harm both mother and the unborn child. Several studies indicate that epilepsy # drugs , particularly sodium valproate, taken during pregnancy, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, but few of these studies have been based on real-life population circumstances (population data). Prescription patterns were divided into five categories: treatment with one drug (carbamazepine, lamotrigine or sodium valproate); a combination of several drugs; and no drug treatment. Twenty (54%) of the 39 mums prescribed several drugs were taking sodium valproate, but there were 15 different drug combinations in all. The results showed t...