What is fetal valproate spectrum disorder?
Disease definition. A rare teratogenic disease due to embryo/fetal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) and subsequently characterized by a distinct facial dysmorphism, congenital anomalies and developmental delay (especially in language and communication).
What are the side effects of valproate?
Common side effects
- stomach pain, feeling or being sick.
- diarrhoea.
- dry or sore mouth, or swollen gums.
- shakes (tremors) in a part of your body, or unusual eye movements.
- feeling tired or sleepy.
- headache.
- weight gain.
- thinning hair, or changes to the colour or texture of your hair.
What are the risks associated with valproate treatment in pregnancy?
The use of VPA as a single drug (monotherapy) in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with significantly increased risks of major and minor malformations, including a 20-fold increase in neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida, cleft lip and palate, cardiovascular abnormalities, genitourinary defects …
What is the teratogenic effect of valproic acid?
VPA has been associated with a variety of major and minor malformations, including a 20-fold increase in neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, cardiovascular abnormalities, genitourinary defects, developmental delay, endocrinological disorders, limb defects, and autism.
Does valproic acid cause birth defects?
Some of the birth defects that are more likely to happen if a woman takes valproic acid in the first trimester are heart defects, cleft lip (lip develops with a split), or a neural tube defect (an opening in the baby’s spine or skull).
Is lamotrigine safe in pregnancy?
Given its favorable reproductive safety profile, lamotrigine is a reasonable option for women who require treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy.
What does sodium valproate do to a baby?
Research has shown that sodium valproate can cause serious problems in a developing baby. Of babies whose mothers take sodium valproate during pregnancy, up to 1 in 10 (10%) are at risk of having a birth defect, and up to 4 in 10 children (up to 40%) have problems with development and learning as they grow.
Is valproic acid safe while pregnant?
FDA previously warned pregnant women and women of childbearing age about valproate use during pregnancy due to the known risk of birth defects (teratogenic effects) of these products. A teratogen is anything known to cause birth defects during development of an embryo or fetus.
What happens if you take sodium valproate while pregnant?
When sodium valproate is taken during pregnancy, it can affect how the baby develops in the womb and cause ‘birth defects’, including: ‘minor malformations’ (such as small fingers and toes) and. ‘major malformations’ (such as spina bifida or a cleft palate, which may need surgery to correct them)
What birth defects can lamotrigine cause?
A study published last year in the journal Neurology also found that babies born to pregnant women taking lamotrigine appeared not be at an increased risk of birth defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate or clubfoot.
What happens to children with fetal valproate syndrome?
Children with FVS have a higher chance of developmental problems such as decreased cognitive function, attention deficit disorder, learning difficulties and often the communication problems of autism spectrum disorder.
What are the side effects of valproic acid?
Symptoms of FVS vary but may include characteristic facial features, spina bifida, congenital heart defects, cleft lip and/or cleft palate, genital abnormalities, skeletal abnormalities, and developmental delay. A child exposed to valproic acid may be at a higher risk for learning and behavioral problems.
What are the symptoms of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome?
Children with FACS can have a mixture of mild to more serious symptoms. This can happen during the first few weeks of pregnancy when organs are developing. This is because the medications can cross the placenta. There can also be developmental delay as well as speech and language problems, autistic spectrum disorders and poor motor control.
How does valproic acid affect the fetus during pregnancy?
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) causes teratogenic effects in the fetus, specifically FVS. A teratogen is a drug that interferes with the development of a fetus. Studies have indicated that FVS is associated with greater risk of neurological and cognitive abnormalities than other anti-seizure medications.