Skip to main content

In Utero Exposure to Antiseizure Meds Does Not Affect Child Creativity

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 30, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2024 -- There are no differences in creative thinking at age 4.5 years for children of women with epilepsy (WWE) and children of healthy women (HW), but fetal antiseizure medication (ASM) exposure-dependent effects are seen for executive function in children of WWE, according to a study published online May 29 in Neurology.

Kimford J. Meador, M.D., from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and colleagues examined fetal exposure of newer ASMs on creativity and executive functions in 4.5-year-old children of WWE compared with children of HW. The primary analysis included 251 and 73 children of WWE and HW, respectively.

The researchers observed no differences between children of WWE and HW in creativity or executive function. For creativity measures, no ASM exposure-dependent effects were seen, but there were exposure-dependent effects noted for executive function for ratio ASM concentration and ratio defined daily dose.

"Our findings highlight that even for epilepsy medications that are generally considered to be safe in pregnancy, dose adjustments should be made with a goal of reaching an optimal balance between controlling seizures and the minimizing negative effects on the developing child," Meador said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2024

Read this next

New Definition of Epilepsy Improves Diagnosis, Treatment

TUESDAY, April 15, 2025 -- The new International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) definition of epilepsy results in a higher frequency of epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, according...

Medial Temporal Lobectomy Aids Seizure Outcomes in Epilepsy

MONDAY, April 14, 2025 -- Medial temporal lobectomy is effective in improving seizure outcomes among patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, according to a study...

Updated AAN Position Statement Issued on Seizures, Driving Licensure

FRIDAY, March 28, 2025 -- In a position statement issued by the American Academy of Neurology and published online March 12 in Neurology, an updated consensus is presented...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.