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From the Department of Neurology, Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast (S.H., J.C., J.M.); Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow (A.R.); Glasgow, Scotland (E.G.); Department of Neurology, St Albans City Hospital, St Albans, Herts (L.P.); Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Preston (I.R.); Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast (R.W., B.I.); Department of Medical Genetics, Belfast City Hospital Trust, Belfast, and School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK (P.J.M.).
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. John Craig, Department of Neurology, Royal Group of Hospitals, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA; e-mail: john.craig{at}royalhospitals.n-i.nhs.uk
It is not known whether the antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam can be used safely in human pregnancy. As part of a study to determine the risks of major congenital malformations (MCMs) for infants exposed to AEDs in utero, we identified all cases exposed to levetiracetam. Three of 117 exposed pregnancies had an MCM (2.7%; 95% CI 0.9% to 7.7%); all 3 were exposed to other AEDs.
Disclosure: The study was made possible by a research grant from the Epilepsy Research Foundation and a number of unrestricted educational grants from pharmaceutical companies (Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB-Phama, Janssen-Cilag, Pfizer). An Internet-based Web site detailing the aims of the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register was made possible by a grant from Glaxo-Smith-Kline. Over the lifetime of the register, these grants have exceeded $10,000 from each company/grant awarding body. S.H., J.C., A.R., L.P., P.M., R.W., B.I., and J.M. have attended meetings with the support of various pharmaceutical companies, including UCB-Pharma. J.C., L.P., P.M., and J.M. have given lectures at the bequest of pharmaceutical companies, including UCB-Pharma, for which they have received honoraria. No individual has received personal compensation in excess of $10,000. I.R. reports no conflicts of interest.
Received March 27, 2006. Accepted in final form August 3, 2006.
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