A study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston on May 3, 2007, found that toddlers exposed to Depakote in the womb were twice as likely to score lower on I.Q. tests than those whose mothers took other epilepsy drugs while pregnant. Toddlers were twice as likely to score in the range associated with mental retardation, scoring seven to eight points lower than toddlers whose mothers took Lamictal, Tegretol or Dilantin to control epileptic seizures.

The new study is consistent with other recent findings that Depakote is more likely than other anti-seizure medications to increase the risk of birth defects, especially those associated with mental deficits. Dr. Kimford J. Meador, lead author of the study and professor of neurology at the University of Florida, said, “Depakote looks worse than the other drugs in all of these recent studies. In all, it is compelling evidence that this drug should not be used as a first-line choice for treatment in pregnant women.”

Meador’s team followed 185 children from birth through age 2 whose mothers took either Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol or Dilantin, using standard I.Q. measures. 2-year-olds exposed to Depakote scored significantly lower than other children. Some scientists at the meeting said the study findings should be considered preliminary because I.Q. measures in this child population are not as reliable as in older children. The study will continue to measure the children through the age of 6.

Depakote is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

Source: Benedict Carey, “Epilepsy Drug Can Increase Risk for Newborns,” New York Times,” May 4, 2007.