Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About MyEpilepsyTeam
Powered By

Use of Common Epilepsy Drug in Pregnancy Tied to ADHD in Kids

Posted on March 14, 2019


By E.J. Mundell, HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- When a woman with epilepsy uses the anti-seizure drug valproate during a pregnancy, the odds that her baby will go on to develop ADHD rise, a new study suggests.

The Danish report can't prove that valproate causes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these cases, only that there's an association.

But in the new study, fetal exposure to valproate was tied to 48 percent higher odds of a child developing ADHD, according to a team led by Dr. Jakob Christensen at Aarhus University.

The study included more than 900,000 babies born in Denmark between 1997 and 2011. The children's mental health was tracked from birth until they averaged about 10 years of age.

Christensen's group concluded that "maternal use of valproate during pregnancy was associated with a small but significantly increased risk of ADHD in the offspring, even after adjusting for maternal psychiatric disease, maternal epilepsy," and other factors.

Other epilepsy drugs appeared to have no effect on ADHD rates, the researchers noted. The findings were published online Jan. 4 in JAMA Network Open.

Two U.S. experts said that most women with epilepsy are already counseled to avoid valproate during pregnancy.

"This study provides yet more data highlighting risks of using valproate in women of childbearing age," said Dr. Fred Lado, who directs epilepsy care for Queens and Long Island as part of the New York City Northwell Health system.

According to Lado, it's been long known that "valproate produces birth defects in up to 10 percent of children exposed in utero." The drug also "reduces average IQ [in exposed offspring] and increases the likelihood of behavioral problems," he said.

The new study "adds to the already compelling list of reasons for avoiding valproate use in women of childbearing age," Lado said. In most cases, women can switch to another anti-seizure medicine, but "in the rare cases where there is no alternative to valproate, women should be informed fully about the risks and counseled on the use of contraceptives," he added.

Dr. Andrew Adesman is chief of child developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Children's Medical Center of New York in New Hyde Park. He said the new study "once again raises the concern that prenatal exposure to valproate puts a fetus at increased risk of ADHD as a child."

Adesman stressed that while avoidance of valproate is the preferred option during a pregnancy, women who have taken the drug while pregnant should not panic.

"It must be kept in mind that, despite the increased risk of ADHD, only about 10 percent of children exposed to valproate prenatally ended up having ADHD," Adesman said. "So, women who were treated with valproate during their pregnancy should be reassured by the fact that the chances are pretty small that their child will have ADHD as a function of valproate exposure during pregnancy."

SOURCES: Fred Lado, M.D., Ph.D., regional director, epilepsy, Queens and Long Island, Northwell Health, New York City; Andrew Adesman, M.D., chief, developmental & behavioral pediatrics, Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; Jan. 4, 2019, JAMA Network Open, online

Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved.

Here are some questions and conversations from MyEpilepsyTeam:

Has anyone gotten pregnant while taking medications? Did it affect your child?

Has anyone chosen to adopt a child instead of having a child through pregnancy? Doctors say it's possible for me to have a healthy pregnancy with a few medication changes, but it sounds like an unpredictable journey I'm not sure I want to take.

Does anyone have experience with pregnancy while having medication-dependent epilepsy? If so, I’d really like to hear your story.

Did your doctor counsel you about taking valproate when you got pregnant?
Share in the comments below!

Posted on March 14, 2019

A MyEpilepsyTeam Subscriber

My doctor did not tell me about adhd in my pregnancy but warned about spina bifida. I was in high levels of valproate and my son has autism and learning difficulties but he has good concentration.

December 1, 2022
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Recent Articles

Many people living with epilepsy also experience mental health challenges, and bipolar disorder i...

Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy: What’s the Connection?

Many people living with epilepsy also experience mental health challenges, and bipolar disorder i...
If your child is living with epilepsy, you might be presented with a lengthy list of treatment op...

5 Factors in Choosing Epilepsy Treatments for Your Child

If your child is living with epilepsy, you might be presented with a lengthy list of treatment op...
Parents, caregivers, and clinicians can help shape a child’s attitude about epilepsy from an ea...

The Epilepsy Transition to Adulthood: How To Help Your Child

Parents, caregivers, and clinicians can help shape a child’s attitude about epilepsy from an ea...
4 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Medication The price of medication affects the quality of life f...

4 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Medication (VIDEO)

4 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Medication The price of medication affects the quality of life f...
The brain contains billions of nerve cells — called neurons — that communicate with one another b...

Can Seizures Cause Brain Damage? 4 Types That Pose a Risk

The brain contains billions of nerve cells — called neurons — that communicate with one another b...
Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures. It’s als...

Causes of Epilepsy

Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures. It’s als...

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: