TY - JOUR T1 - Prenatal exposure to sodium valproate is associated with increased risk of childhood autism and autistic spectrum disorder JF - Evidence Based Nursing JO - Evid Based Nurs SP - 84 LP - 84 DO - 10.1136/eb-2013-101422 VL - 17 IS - 3 AU - Amanda Wood Y1 - 2014/07/01 UR - http://ebn.bmj.com/content/17/3/84.abstract N2 - Commentary on: Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, et al. Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. JAMA 2013;309:1696–703OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science Anticonvulsant drugs increase the risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Women taking sodium valproate should be counselled about potential risks well in advance of pregnancy. Further research is required to understand whether lower doses reduce the risk of autism to population levels. Prospective longitudinal studies assessing all children are necessary to clarify the full extent of risk associated with prenatal medication exposures. The clinical management of women with epilepsy during pregnancy is complicated by the potential teratogenicity of medications needed to control seizures. Past research about the relationship between prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs and major congenital malformations has improved understanding of the immediate effects for the child, with recent studies highlighting the long-term impact on cognitive development.1 ,2 … ER -