In the November 30, 2010 issue of Neurology (Neurology 75 :(22) November 30, 2010) Meador and colleagues examined the cognitive outcomes of breastfed children of women with seizures enrolled in the NEAD study. Of 309 women with epilepsy, 42% of children ( total of 199) were breastfed. Mothers of breastfed children had higher IQ, older and were taking more folate compared to those mothers not breastfeeding There was no difference in the percent of women with epilepsy who breastfed in each antiepileptic drug group. Four antiepileptic drugs were studied including carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin and valproate.

This preliminary analysis failed to demonstrate any negative effects of breastfeeding during antiepileptic drug therapy on IQ of children who have been exposed to the medication by breast milk. However, as the accompanying editorial by Dr. Klein noted, there is still much more work that needs to be done in order to understand what are the long-term effects of exposure to antiepileptic drugs in children.

Joseph Sirven, M.D.
Editor-in-Chief, epilepsy.com 
Last Reviewed: 1/15/11