Developmental Effects On Children Of Women Who Take Antiepileptic Drugs During Pregnancy
Developmental Effects On Children Of Women Who Take Antiepileptic Drugs During Pregnancy
The purpose of this study is to determine if antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) differ in their
 neurodevelopmental effects. Specifically, do the children of the women with epilepsy differ
 in their behavioral and cognitive development depending on which AED their mother takes
 during pregnancy?
This is a prospective investigation enrolling 285 to 380 women with epilepsy during the first
 two trimesters of their pregnancies. There are 25 clinical centers as well as the database
 center. The women will be taking one of the following AEDs: carbamazepine, phenytoin,
 valproate, or lamotrigine. Cognitive and behavioral testing of the child will be done up to
 the age of 6 years. The study does not change the woman's doctor and does not interfere with
 the care of the treating physician.
-  Subject must be diagnosed with partial seizures and/or secondary generalization or
 primary generalized seizures (absence, atonic, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic
 seizures)

 -  Subjects must be on either carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, or valproate
 monotherapy.

 -  Mothers must not have a history of drug abuse (including alcohol) in the last year and
 have no sequelae of drug abuse.

 -  Mothers must be able to maintain an accurate seizure diary of major motor seizures

 -  Subjects must have an IQ greater than or equal to 70 points.

 -  Subjects must have a history of a negative RPR and HIV.

 -  Subjects must not have progressive cerebral disease or presence of other major medical
 illness

 -  Subjects must not have exposure to known teratogens during pregnancy, except AEDs.

 -  Subjects must not have poor compliance with prenatal care.

 -  Subjects must have adequate reading skills to perform the cognitive tests.