Pregnancy Drug linked to increased risk of Autism

Pre-natal exposure to anti-epilepsy medications including the drug Valproate has been associated with congenital malformations and delayed cognitive development in children.  A new study examined whether there was a relationship between use of this medication by expectant mothers and the risk of autism in their children. “When you are treating pregnant women with medication during pregnancy it’s always important to weigh the benefit for the women with the potential harm for the child.” Dr. Jakob Christensen and co-authors followed more than 500,000 pregnant women.  These women gave birth between 1996 and 2007. Researchers then followed the children to see whether they were diagnosed with autism. “Valproate exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of autism.” The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.