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‘Ann, Ist. Super. Sanita, vol. 29, n. 1 (1993), pp. 77-87 Antiepileptic drug therapy and congenital defects Pierpaolo MASTROIACOVO (a), Lorenzo BOTTO (a, b), Mariangela SERAFINI (a, 6) and Giuseppe ZAMPINO (a) (a) Servisio di Epidemiologia e Clinica dei Difeti Congenit, Istituto di Pediatria, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy (b) Centro Internazionale sugli Esiti Sfavorevoli della Riproduzione ICARO-ASM, Rome, Italy Summary. - The present paper is iverature review on congenital malformations observed in te offspring ot epileptic mothers. The conditions which are here considered ae both morphologic and functional defect. To preventone or moreof these defets itis essential ounderstandthe precise etiologicroleof tie antiepileptic drugs, tihich seem obeof primary importance and theirmechanismof ation, as rug therapy cannotbe stopped during pregnancy being indispensable forthe well-being ofthe mothe and fetus. At hs state of knowledge «proportion Of defects canbe prevented if optimal therapy is followed right rom te preconceponal period: this end, ase of guidelines is suggested and discusted Keywords‘ epilepsy snipilepicdrugs,eratogens, pregnancy, malformations, preconcepionalcounselling jassunto (Terapia antiepilettica e difest congenit).- I presente lavoro & una evisione della eteratura sui

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