Context

In the last few years, more information has been published regarding birth defects associated with the use of the new generation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Some recent reports from different registries have shown a lower rate of major birth defects associated with the use of new generation AEDs compared with some of the first-generation AEDs. For example, an Australian registry showed no increase in major birth defects with the use of lamotrigine in the first trimester.1 But a North American registry reported a significant increase in the presence of oral clefts in infants exposed to lamotrigine during pregnancy, in contrast with a European registry which showed no association between rate of birth defects and the use of lamotrigine.2 3 Another study from Finland reported no increase in the rate of congenital malformations with the use of oxcarbazepine.4