Fetal Anti Convulsant syndrome is an Umbrella Term for a host of different Epilepsy medications taken during pregnancy that have had an affect on the baby in Utero.
The following medications are medically known to be Teratogenic during pregnancy
- Sodium Valproate (1973) Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Phenytoin (1938) Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Carbamazepine (1963) Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Lamotrigine (1991) Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Topiramate (1995)Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Levetiracetem (2000)Information for Healthcare Professionals
Epilepsy medicines are prescribed for a variety of conditions :
- Epilepsy
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Pain Relief
- Migraine
- Headaches
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
FACS is thought to arise because some of the medications taken to treat all of the above pass through the placenta and into the developing foetus.
Valproate Complications for Baby: Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder
Children exposed to valproate in utero have a very high risk for congenital malformations (10% risk) and neurodevelopmental disorders (30–40% risk). See below for a Reminder of key facts about the risks of valproate.
Reminder of key facts about the risks of valproate in pregnancy
- 1 in 10 babies (10%) exposed to valproate in pregnancy are born with a congenital malformation – for the general population, the risk is about 2–3%[footnote 1]
- Folic acid supplementation may decrease the general risk of neural tube defects but there is evidence that it does not reduce the risk of birth defects associated with valproate exposure
- There is no safe dose of valproate that can be used in pregnancy – in a comparative study, all doses of valproate increased the risk of major congenital malformations[footnote 2]
- Around 3 to 4 in 10 children (30–40%) exposed to valproate in pregnancy have delays in their development such as talking and walking later, lower intellectual abilities, poor language skills (speaking and understanding), and memory problems[footnote 3]
- IQ in school-aged children (age 6 years old) with a history of valproate exposure in pregnancy was recorded to be on average 7–10 points lower than children exposed to other antiepileptic drugs [footnote 4]
- Children with a history of valproate exposure in pregnancy have a 3-fold risk of autistic spectrum disorder and 5-fold risk of childhood autism compared with general population[footnote 5]
- Children exposed to valproate in pregnancy may be at increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)[footnote 6]
Symptoms
- Unusual (Dysmorphic) facial features
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Spina Bifida
- Limb Defects
- Joint Laxity (Hypermobility)
- Visual problems such as short sightedness or squints,
- A delay in reaching milestones
- Gross and fine motor difficulties
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Dyspraxia, Aspergers, ADHD)
- Attention and memory difficulties
- Speech and language difficulties
- Noise Intolerant (doesn’t like loud noises, tends to cover their ears)
- Incontinence
- Athsma
- Zoo-phobia (petrified of animals)
Developmental problems:
- Speech & Languages developmental
- Low Verbal IQ
- Hearing
- Vision
- Fine & Gross Motor Control
- Hypotonia
- Short term Memory
- Inguial Hernia
- Autism
- ADHD
- Aspergers Syndrome
- Dyspraxia
In Boys:
- Hypospadia
- Undescended Testes
Major Malformations
- Gastroesophageal Reflux
- Bowel & Bladder
- Kidney Malformations
- Heart Malformations
- Cleft Lip/Palate
- Spina Bifida & Rib Fusion
- Radial Short or absent radius in the arm
- Talipes
- Polydactyly (Extra) fingers and/or toes
- Clinodactyly (Curvature of) fingers and/or toes
- Craniostenosis
Since 2013 there have been a number of research papers which have stated the relation between Valproate in pregnancy and all the above disabilities:
The Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Chidlren Prenatally Exposed to Antiepileptic Drugs: Rebecca Bromley et al. J Neurol, Neurosurg Psychiatry 2013; 0: 1-7
If you feel your child may have FACS you must speak to your GP about your concerns and request to be referred to a Paeditrician or Clinical Geneticist.
Not every child who is exposed to these medicines will have FACS.
INFACT 