In recent years, dozens of studies have been published illustrating an increased risk for birth defects linked to antiepileptic drugs containing sodium valproate such as Depacon, Depakene, and Depakote. While these drugs are effective in the mitigation of seizures, the risks posed to developing babies cannot go overlooked. Here, I will summarize one such
Drugs
SSRIs linked to “abnormal development” of fetus
In 2012, C.M. Nijenhuis and a team from University of Groningen (Groningen, The Netherlands) published a study titled “Disturbed development of the enteric nervous system after in utero exposure of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Part 1: Literature review.” in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. There, the link between gestational…
2009 – Preterm birth again linked to SSRI exposure before birth
Recently, I found an article titled “Risk of preterm delivery and other adverse perinatal outcomes in relation to maternal use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy.” that originally appeared in the December 2009 edition of American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Published by R. Calderon-Margalit and a team from The University of Washington…
Risk for birth defects 47% higher with prenatal exposure to Depacon, Depakene, or Depakote
In January of last year, a team of researchers led by E. Campbell published an article in Epilepsia titled “Recurrence risk of congenital malformations in infants exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero.”, marking yet another piece of professional research illustrating the risks of prenatal exposure to drugs containing sodium valproate such as Depacon…
Study shows: Depacon lifts risk for autism 300%
Today, I found another article by G. Veiby and a team from The University of Bergen in Bergen, Norway that demonstrates the danger posed to children exposed to valproate in utero. Valproate (sodium valproate, other formations) is the active chemical in a number of antiepileptic drugs such as Depacon, Depakote, and Depakene…
2011 – Birth defect risk “significantly higher” with Depacon, Depakene, or Depakote exposure before birth
In July, 2011, Lancet Neurology published an article titled “Dose-dependent risk of malformations with antiepileptic drugs: an analysis of data from the EURAP epilepsy and pregnancy registry.” that was written by a team from Stockholm led by T. Tomson. This study is yet another example of peer-reviewed research demonstrating that serious risks are…
SSRIs in pregnancy linked to 12-fold increased risk for preterm birth
Today, I came across an article published in a 2011 edition of Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health by G. Latendresse and a team of researchers from The University of Utah College of Nursing (Salt Lake City) titled “Maternal corticotropin-releasing hormone and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors independently predict the occurrence of…
2011 – Low gestational age linked to SSRI exposure, not maternal depression
Titled “Newborn neurobehavioral patterns are differentially related to prenatal maternal major depressive disorder and serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment.”, an article by A.L. Salisbury and a team from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, appearing in the December, 2011 edition of Depression and Anxiety, further explores the link between selective serotonin…
Neurological function adversely affected by maternal SSRIs
In May, 2013, N.K. de Vries published an article titled “Early neurological outcome of young infants exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy: results from the observational SMOK study.” in the medical journal PLoS One. This Dutch research team explored poor neonatal outcomes linked to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs)…
2011 – Heart development affected by maternal SSRI use
Published in the July, 2011 edition of Pediatric Research, a study by D. Rurak and a team from The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) titled “Third trimester fetal heart rate and Doppler middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity characteristics during prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure.” examined the relationship between selective serotonin…