September 2013. Volume 9. Number 3

The use of valproate in pregnant women increases the incidence of children with autism spectrum disorders

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, et al. Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. JAMA. 2013;309(16):1696-703.

Reviewers: González Muñoz M1, González de Dios J2.
1Faculta de Medicina y Odontología. Valencia. Valencia. España.
2Departamento de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. España.
Correspondence: María González Muñoz. Email: gonmumar@gmail.com
Reception date: 24/06/2013
Acceptance date: 19/07/2013
Publication date: 31/07/2013

Abstract

Authors' conclusions: maternal use of valproate during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in the offspring, even after adjusting for confounding factors (maternal epilepsy included).

Reviewers' commentary: the use of valproate during pregnancy should be approached with an appropriate balance between the benefits (seizure control) versus disadvantages (embryopathy and, with these results, increased risk of autism spectrum disorder). Given these findings, it seems appropriate to propose the replacement of valproate during pregnancy by other antiepileptic drug.

How to cite this article

González Muñoz M, González de Dios J. El uso de ácido valproico en embarazadas incrementa la incidencia de hijos con trastornos del espectro autista. Evid Pediatr.2013;9:47.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, et al. Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. JAMA. 2013;309(16):1696-703.

Reviewers: González Muñoz M1, González de Dios J2.
1Faculta de Medicina y Odontología. Valencia. Valencia. España.
2Departamento de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. España.
Correspondence: María González Muñoz. Email: gonmumar@gmail.com
Reception date: 24/06/2013
Acceptance date: 19/07/2013
Publication date: 31/07/2013

How to cite this article

González Muñoz M, González de Dios J. El uso de ácido valproico en embarazadas incrementa la incidencia de hijos con trastornos del espectro autista. Evid Pediatr.2013;9:47.

References

  1. Rasalam AD, Hailey H, Williams JH, Moore SJ, Turnpenny PD, Lloyd DJ, et al. Characteristics of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome associated autistic disorder. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005;47:551-5.
  2. Wagner GC, Reuhl KR, Cheh M, McRae P, Halladay AK. A new neurobehavioral model of autism in mice: pre- and postnatal exposure to sodium valproate. J Autism Dev Disord. 2006;36:779-93.
  3. Bromley RL, Mawer G, Clayton-Smith J, Baker GA; Liverpool and Manchester Neurodevelopment Group. Autism spectrum disorders following in utero exposure to antiepileptic drugs. Neurology. 2008;71:1923-4.
31/07/2013

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