JAMA Neurology

Two-Year-Old Cognitive Outcomes in Children of Pregnant Women With Epilepsy in the Maternal Outcomes and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs Study

8 June, 2021

Kimford J. Meador, MD; Morris J. Cohen, EdD; David W. Loring, PhD; et al

JAMA Neurology Published online June 7, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.1583

Key Points

Question  What is the association between fetal exposure to antiseizure medication (ASM) and subsequent cognitive abilities of the child?

Findings  This multicenter cohort study found no differences in 2-year-old children of women with epilepsy vs healthy women on the primary outcome of language domain scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. However, secondary analyses revealed that higher ASM levels and doses in the third trimester were associated with lower scores for other domains.

Meaning  Overall, in this study, outcomes at 2 years of age did not differ by ASM exposures.

Read article in JAMA Neurology