University of Bristol

Academic Institute

Dheeraj Rai - Chief Investigator - University of BristolPaul Madley-Dowd - Corresponding Applicant - University of Bristol - Collaborator -Caichen Zhong - Collaborator - Drexel UniversityFlorence Martin - Collaborator - University of BristolHarriet Forbes - Collaborator - University of BristolJessica Rast - Collaborator - Drexel UniversityKristen Lyall - Collaborator - Drexel UniversityNeil Davies - Collaborator - University of Bristol

CPRD695

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder. Antiepileptic drugs are used to treat epilepsy and are also used as mood stabilisers for some mental disorders such as bipolar disorder. While these drugs may prevent harm to the mother, they may harm the fetus. We will study the effects of taking these drugs, and the underlying conditions for which they are prescribed during pregnancy. Our study will answer four questions. First: what are the patterns of antiepileptic drug prescribing across the pregnancy period? Second: what are the risks of adverse maternal, pregnancy and child outcomes among women with epilepsy and other indications of antiepileptic prescribing? Third: does use of these drugs during pregnancy influence the risk of adverse maternal, child and pregnancy outcomes? Fourth: are our results robust to the various assumptions made by our analysis techniques. Our results will help doctors and patients make informed decisions about using these medicines.

Antiepileptic and mood stabiliser medications (collectively abbreviated as AEDs) refer to an overlapping group of drugs prescribed for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Their use in pregnancy is often necessary to reduce harms to the mother. There is little robust evidence for the maternal and fetal safety profile of many AEDs although some drugs such as sodium valproate are known to be teratogenic.

22/03/2021

Release