TITLE:
Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder According to the Dose and Trimester of Exposure to Antiseizure Medications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
AUTHORS:
Zakaria Ahmed Mohamed, Erick Thokerunga, Ali Omar Jimale, Zhichen Liu, Jingyi Fan
KEYWORDS:
Autism, Anti-Seizure, Anticonvulsants, Anti-Epileptic, Fetal, Prenatal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.13 No.2,
April
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications
(ASM) and autism spectrum disorder has been documented. This study sought to
examine and synthesize evidence from studies that have evaluated these
associations, with particular focus on the trimester of pregnancy and dosage of
exposure. Methodology: PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were
searched following strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. 10 studies were
recruited involving children born to mothers with epilepsy who took ASM during
pregnancy as cases, and those with epilepsy who did not take any ASM in
pregnancy. Results: The relative risk of
developing ASD among children exposed to valproic acid (RR, 3.90 [95% CI: 2.36
- 6.44], p Conclusion: In summary, prenatal exposure to ASM increased
the risk of developing ASD in children. The relative risk was twice as high in
those exposed to valproic acid compared to those exposed to carbamazepine or
lamotrigine. Trimester of pregnancy and dosage of ASM used by the mothers
were not significant.