New Delhi, December 3 (IANS). A team of American scientists has approved anti-seizure drugs lamotrigine and levetiracetam as safe for use during pregnancy.
During epilepsy, stiffness in the body, trembling, unconsciousness, difficulty in speaking and involuntary urination occur. However, the use of medicines helps most women lead a normal life. But in some cases, they can harm the fetus.
Researchers at Stanford University have studied the children of women who took one or two medicines for epilepsy during pregnancy.
Researchers conducted research among 298 children of women suffering from epilepsy and 89 children of healthy women.
According to the report published in JAMA Neurology, lamotrigine and levetiracetam are safe alternatives to older antiseizure drugs like valproate. Which are known to increase the risk of autism and low IQ in children, as well as harm other cognitive abilities.
A team of American scientists has found that six-year-old children whose mothers took one or both anti-seizure drugs during pregnancy had normal speech ability.
Lead author Kimford Meador, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, said the results with lamotrigine and levetiracetam look very good.
Medor said that after taking these medicines, no difference was seen in the outcomes of children of women suffering from epilepsy and children of healthy women, which is very encouraging.
It is important to prevent seizures as much as possible during pregnancy, as seizures can harm both the mother and the fetus.
Women suffering from epilepsy are cared for under the supervision of neurologists and obstetricians. Because, they are experts in managing diseases during pregnancy.
Meador said that with the right care, more than 90 percent of women with epilepsy will have normal pregnancies and have normal babies.
–IANS
DKM/AS
