Even when controlling for the IQ of the mother, children of moms who took anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer Depakote were turning up mentally retarded at a 24% clip. This was much higher than the other medications to which it was compared. This is based on a presentation at the American Academy of Neurology and I've not seen the actual study design and stats, so I can't say this was a great study or not. The fact that they tested IQ of 2-year-old kids, which is fairly unreliable, is probably a weakness, though the authors say they'll follow these kids for a few more years. In any case, it does seem like this could be big news if it is a consistent finding.
Link to quick press release. Hat Tip (and an extended writeup): AHRP.
http://bipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com/2007/03/dangers-of-depakote-use-in-girls.html
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good thing to warn women under age 20 not to take Depakote w/out careful monitoring as well.
A team of specialists confirmed Depakote use as being the reason why my daughter has Polycystic ovary syndrome--and most likely can't have kids, increased her chance for cancer...it's all in my post I added here.
Any medication during pregnancy is risky, right down to caffeine or advil.