SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2024
Neurodevelopmental outcomes after prenatal exposure to lamotrigine monotherapy in women with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 14 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exposure to anti-seizure medication during pregnancy and the risk of autism and ADHD in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Pooled it
- Late Pregnancy Antiseizure Medication Exposure and Offspring Neurodevelopmental Risk: A Multi-Child Cohort Study.Annals of neurology · 2026Article
- Pregnancy, baby, and childhood outcomes from using anti-seizure medication during pregnancy.Communications medicine · 2025Article
- Paternal Valproate Use and Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Congenital Malformation Risk in Offspring.JAMA network open · 2025Observational
- Neurobehavioral Outcomes of Children with Antenatal Exposure to Antiseizure Medications.Indian journal of pediatrics · 2025Article
- Seizure Control During Pregnancy vs. Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Babies - Can We Achieve an Optimal Balance?Indian journal of pediatrics · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 6 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLamotrigine has become one of the most commonly prescribed antiseizure medications (ASM) in epileptic women during pregnancy and therefore requires regular updates regarding its safety. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between in utero exposure to lamotrigine monotherapy and the occurrence of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
methodsAll comparative studies assessing the occurrence of neurodevelopmental outcomes after epilepsy-indicated lamotrigine monotherapy exposure during pregnancy were searched. First, references were identified through a snowballing approach, then, through electronic databases (Medline and Embase) from 2015 to June 2022. One investigator evaluated study eligibility and extracted data and a second independent investigator reviewed the meta-analysis (MA). A systematic review and random-effects model approach were performed using a collaborative WEB-based meta-analysis platform (metaPreg.org) with a registered protocol (osf.io/u4gva).
resultsOverall, 18 studies were included. For outcomes reported by at least 4 studies, the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence interval obtained with the number of exposed (N1) and unexposed children (N0) included were: neurodevelopmental disorders as a whole 0.84 [0.66;1.06] (N1 = 5,271; N0 = 22,230); language disorders or delay 1.16 [0.67;2.00] (N1 = 313; N0 = 506); diagnosis or risk of ASD 0.97 [0.61;1.53] (N1 = at least 5,262; N0 = 33,313); diagnosis or risk of ADHD 1.14 [0.75;1.72] (N1 = at least 113; N0 = 11,530) and psychomotor developmental disorders or delay 2.68 [1.29-5.56] (N1 = 163; N0 = 220). The MA of cognitive outcomes included less than 4 studies and retrieved a significant association for infants exposed to lamotrigine younger than 3 years old but not in the older age groups.
conclusionPrenatal exposure to lamotrigine monotherapy is not found to be statistically associated with neurodevelopmental disorders as a whole, language disorders or delay, diagnosis or risk of ASD and diagnosis or risk of ADHD. However, the MA found an increased risk of psychomotor developmental disorders or delay and cognitive developmental delay in less than 3 years old children. Nevertheless, these findings were based exclusively on observational studies presenting biases and on a limited number of included children. More studies should assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in children prenatally exposed to lamotrigine.
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