Children Born to Mothers Who Took Valproate Have Lower IQs, Researchers Say

Women with epilepsy who took the drug valproate ( Depakote) during pregnancy gave birth to children whose IQ at age 3 averaged up to 9 points lower than the scores of children exposed to other epilepsy drugs, according to a new study.

"Valproate exposure to the unborn child is associated with a lower IQ, which is not explained by any of the other factors [influencing IQ], such as mother's IQ, mother's age, or epilepsy type," says Kimford J. Meador, MD, the study's lead author and professor of neurology at Emory University in Atlanta.

The average IQ of children born to women who took valproate was 92 -- 8 below the 100 that is considered average -- and the scores of those exposed to other epilepsy drugs ranged from 98 to 101, he tells WebMD.

The implications go beyond the use of the drugs in women of childbearing age who have epilepsy, Meador tells WebMD, because the drug is also commonly prescribed for migraine headaches and bipolar disorder.

Dr. Rob---Did you know that there is good clinical research out there that confirms the three conditions this drug is prescribed for can be helped with chiropractic care.  It is shocking to me that we are still medicating pregnant women.  There is no solid proof anywhere that drugs do not cross the placental barrier and affect a developing baby.  EVEN acetaminophen crosses and increases the risk of asthma.  Why would we think that valproate wouldn't do an damage.  Weigh in on your thoughts here and follow the discussion at www.twitter.com/drrobanderson

Your RoadToVitality.com Mentor,    Dr. Rob Anderson