TABLE 4.

Cognitive Effects of In Utero Antiepileptic Drugs in Recent Studies

UK (2 retrospective cohorts)

Valproate vs other monotherapy or no AED

Special education: 30% of the valproate group vs 3–6% other groups

Valproate 6–16 years old group had reduced VIQ (10–14 points) vs other groups

Valproate <6 years old group had greater delay on Schedule of Growing Skills II

Reference: Adab et al. (4), Adab et al. (28)

Finland (prospective)

Valproate group had reduced VIQ (12 points) vs carbamazepine

Carbamazepine group did not differ from control group

Reference: Gaily et al. (29)

Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (NEAD) Study: USA & UK (prospective preliminary results)

Valproate group was reduced 9–11 points vs carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or phenytoin on the Bayley Mental Development Scale at 2 years old.

Reference: Meador et al. (19)

Denmark (two retrospective cohorts tested with different measures)

Phenobarbital reduced VIQ scores (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale [Danish version] or Danish Military Draft Board Intelligence Test) by ∼0.5 standard deviation or ∼7 VIQ compared with general population.

Reference: Reinisch et al. (27)

VIQ = verbal intelligence quotient