Hi there...questions concerning birth defects

[jamie0168]

OK, so I had my first epileptologist appointment today and he is the first person to tell me about the relationship between epilepsy meds during pregnancy and birth defects. Now, I'm only 21 (my name is Jamie, btw.) I'm not planning on having a child for another decade or so. But I sure do want to make sure that he/she isn't retarded, small-headed, or has a spine that's exposed or anything.
So, what are the most common birth defects first of all?
Second of all, how bad are the birth defects rated for topamax (since that is the medicine I'm taking right now?) Is there a chart that compares the birth defects to the meds that were taken during pregancy? Is taking this acid that the epileptologist going to make my kid retarded? Please help me. I don't want to make any mistakes in this area of my life.

[RobinN]

Hi Jamie - Welcome to CWE. I don't know the answer to your questions, but I will be interested to see what you are told. My daughter is the one with seizures, and she is just turning 16 in a few weeks. I know there are a few members that have dealt with the situation that you speak of. I am sure they will be along in a bit.

I am glad that you joined the crowd.

[Bernard]

Hi Jamie, welcome to the forum.

I know that valproate (Depakote) is associated with increased risk for autism and lamotrigine (Lamictal) is associated with increased risk for cleft palate/lip, but I'm not sure about Trileptal.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns each medication to a Pregnancy Category according to whether it has been proven to be harmful in pregnancy. Trileptal is listed in Pregnancy Category C. This indicates that caution is advised, but the benefits of the medicine may outweigh the potential risks. Studies in animals have shown some harm to the baby, but there haven't been any good studies of results in women.

Talk to your doctor or another health professional if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. We don't yet have enough information to be able to estimate the risk of various types of birth defects that might occur if Trileptal is taken during pregnancy. We also don't know enough to compare the risk with Trileptal to the risk with other seizure medicines.

Trileptal and potential birth defects

If you ever do get pregnant while taking an anti-epileptic drug (anti-epileptic drug), please consider registering with the AED Pregnancy Registry.

[brain]

Jamie

Here's another info - you would have to scroll about
half way down the page to find this part of the info

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of Trileptal in pregnant women; however, Trileptal is closely related structurally to carbamazepine, which is considered to be teratogenic in humans. Given this fact, and the results of the animal studies described, it is likely that Trileptal is a human teratogen. Trileptal should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.


Labor and Delivery

The effect of Trileptal on labor and delivery in humans has not been evaluated.

Trileptal - Professional

[Tate]

Hello,

I feel weird stating this eveytime b4 I give information or my opinion but still like to so here goes it.... I am not a specialist this is only from my own personal experience.

I was on topamax for a period of 2 years and did fall pregnant (not planned an may I add only due to the device failing)

I went to my nero stright away as soon as i discovered. He wasnt tempted to take me off it due to the fact i was the most stable i had been in such a very very long time... I was to be very very very closely monitored and he was going to slowly wean me down a little bit. I am unable to tell you how i went on them as I did miscarry but the reason for doing so was not at all related to epilepsy or any of my meds, rather due to the decvice that didnt work that allowed me to become pregnant in the first place.

his comments to me were
The effect of topiramate on fetal development is as yet certain and they are not clear enough studies on pregnancy and topamax but the It should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risks. Malformations have been reported in lab animals. there are good associations. i am not sure if i am able to place a link but here is one sorry if i am not aloud
www.aedpregnancyregistry.org

When I am ready to consider having children, it will deeply revolve around planning and consultment with my medical professionals...

As many anti-epileptic drug to highten the risk of fetal abnormalities such as mentioned above it is important to plan so that the doctor can advise things such as incresed folic acid and medication levels extra appointments with your gp or obstatrician ect

I think it is very wise to be looking into this before you are in the position where you cannot prepare....

One of my best friends has had 2 beuatiful children on anti-epileptic drug and they are booth beautiful perfect children with no known side effects to her taking meds during pregnancy...

but everyone is different and its always best talking to your docotor for their opinion.

good luck
take care
tate

[montse]

Hi Jamie, do not think about it if you are not planning having children now, just try to get better yourself.
I have a child 9 years old and I was on tegretol while pregnance, I know many cases and problems are not common if you plan your pregnancies.
Of course there is a risk, but nowadays with the machines they can see if it is going ok or not.
Enjoy yor life, you are very young