Valproic acid and lamotrigine treatment during pregnancy. The risk of chromosomal abnormality

Mutat Res. 2003 Jan 10;534(1-2):197-9. doi: 10.1016/s1383-5718(02)00254-1.

Abstract

A baby born to an epileptic mother had dysmorphological features associated with 47,XXX karyotype. The mother had been treated with valproic acid (1800mg per day) and lamotrigine (100mg per day) throughout pregnancy. Dysmorphological features detected in baby were intrauterine growth retardation, hypertelorism, flattened nasal bridge, low set malformed auriculas, micrognathia, very small an bow-shaped mouth with thin upper lip, cleft palate, arachnodactyly, camptodactyly, secundum atrial septal defect, bilateral hammer toes and decreased creases on the soles. At 6 months old she showed motor retardation. The molecular analysis of parents revealed that extra X chromosome was inherited from the mother. In this case whether the dysmorphological features and 47,XXX karyotype were caused by lamotrigine and valproic acid treatment during pregnancy or coincidence is in question.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / genetics
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / chemically induced*
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Chromosome Aberrations / chemically induced*
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / drug effects*
  • Cleft Palate / chemically induced
  • Cleft Palate / genetics
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / chemically induced
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Karyotyping
  • Lamotrigine
  • Pedigree
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Triazines / adverse effects*
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Triazines
  • Valproic Acid
  • Lamotrigine