The MONEAD study- Maternal Outcomes of Neurological Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs

The MONEAD Study – Maternal Outcomes of Neurological Effects of Anti-epileptic Drugs

“One of the key questions that this study is exploring is if the medicines the mothers-to-be must take to control seizures have a negative, lasting impact on their babies’ developing brains.”

“Although the majority of children born to mothers with epilepsy are normal, they are at increased risk for developmental delay. It is possible that the anti-epileptics drugs taken during the mother’s pregnancy may adversely affect the child, but the vast majority of these mothers do not have the choice of stopping the medication because the risk of seizures causing injury or death to both the mother and the child are greater than the risks of the medications. Thus, it is critical for us to understand if there are differences between the anti-epileptic drugs in their effects on the child’s ultimate cognitive abilities and behavior. Without this information, patients and their physicians cannot choose the medicine which is best for the child.”