Antiseizure medications linked to foetal growth risks

A large prospective international cohort study has linked the use of antiseizure medications during pregnancy to variations in foetal growth. The research analyzed 15,893 offspring, comparing those exposed to monotherapy (12,911) against those exposed to polytherapy (2,982).

Findings indicate that polytherapy is associated with a lower birthweight centile and approximately 50% higher odds of poor foetal growth outcomes, including being small for gestational age, severe small for gestational age, and low birthweight. The risk appears to increase as the number of concurrent medications increases.

Individual medications also showed varying impacts when compared to lamotrigine monotherapy. Lower birthweight centiles were observed in offspring exposed to topiramate, phenobarbital, oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, valproic acid, and levetiracetam. The most significant difference was noted with topiramate.