Epilepsy drugs during pregnancy may affect your child's performance in school

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder, is a hereditary health problem and a new study states that taking epilepsy drugs during pregnancy may affect a child's performance in school. In view of the long-term risks involved, moms-to-be need to be fully informed about the treatment.

Researchers, however, said that the treatment should be weighed against the need for effective seizure control during pregnancy. Women who suffer from epilepsy are advised to continue taking the drugs to control seizures during pregnancy because convulsions can harm both the unborn child and the mother.

"While this study highlights the risk of cognitive effects in the children of mothers prescribed sodium valproate or multiple (anti-epilepsy drugs), it is important to acknowledge that some epilepsies are difficult to manage without these treatment regimens," said Mark Rees from Swansea University in the UK as quoted in PTI.

Studies show that epilepsy drugs such as sodium valproate taken during pregnancy are linked with neurodevelopmental disorders’, but few of the studies have been based on real-life population circumstances (population data). Also Read: Just Take a walk in the park

The new study was published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

People with epilepsy suffer recurrent seizures owing to a sudden wave of electrical activity in the brain that triggers a temporary disturbance in the messaging systems between brain cells.

What are the symptoms of Epilepsy?

The main symptom is intermittent seizures and convulsions. However, there are more. The person should be shown to a medical expert and given proper treatment to control the seizures.

Here are 10 most common symptoms of Epilepsy

1 Repeated seizures: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder accompanied by repeated seizures. The person suffers convulsion with no sign of fever.

2 Dazed and Unresponsive: The person becomes dazed and unresponsive to questions and suffers short spells of blackouts.

3 Stiffness of the body: As convulsion continues, the body becomes stiff and unable to move.

4 Loses control over bladder: The person loses bowel control and loses all control of his body.

5 Person suffers intermittent fainting spells and suddenly falls.

6 There is quick blinking of the eyes and sudden bouts of chewing as the person loses control over his body movements

7 The person starts behaving in an inappropriate manner and becomes fearful for no apparent reason.

8 Panic and anger often grips the person and he or she suffers jerking movements.

9 Owing to the above symptoms, the person is unable to communicate

10 There are changes in the voice of the person. The person may produce strange cries.