<2> Prenatal Antiseizure Drug Exposure and Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study
<3> Background
The use of antiseizure drugs during pregnancy has been a topic of concern for many years. These medications are essential for managing epilepsy, but they can also pose risks to the developing fetus. Recent studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to certain antiseizure drugs may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. This study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to specific antiseizure drugs and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
<3> Methods
This was a population-based cohort study that used healthcare use data from publicly and commercially insured beneficiaries in the United States from 2000 to 2021. The study included pregnant patients with epilepsy and their offspring. The antiseizure drugs of interest were carbamazepine, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, valproate, and zonisamide. The reference group consisted of pregnant patients with diagnosed epilepsy but no antiseizure drug dispensation from three months before pregnancy