Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome: Implications on Dento-facial Development in General Dental Practice

From Volume 37, Issue 7, September 2010 | Pages 473-477

Authors

Christine Casey

Senior House Officer in Child Dental Health, Department of Child Dental Health, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY

Articles by Christine Casey

Phillip Guest

MBCh B, BDS, FDS RCS, FRCS

Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Articles by Phillip Guest

Adekunmi Fasanmade

BDS, MB BS, FDS RCS, MRCS, FRCS(OMFS)

Specialist Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK

Articles by Adekunmi Fasanmade

Abstract

Epilepsy affects around 1% of the population and approximately 1 in 250 pregnancies are exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder to occur in this group. Exposure to these drugs can result in teratogenic effects, referred to as foetal anticonvulsant syndrome (FACS). The older generation anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, valproate and carbamazepine, have been shown to be teratogenic and it is hoped that the ‘newer’ drugs (eg gabapentin and lamotrigine) will be different. We present two siblings born to an epileptic mother and the literature is reviewed.

Article