Craniofacial Anomalies Related To Use Of Topamax During Pregnancy

In normal fetal development, we normally start out life with a cleft lip and palate.Between the 6^th week until the 11^th week of pregnancy, the clefts of the lip and the palate fuse together.A “cleft” is defined as not joined as a whole whereas the palate is what we know as the inner top surface of our mouth.Cleft lip is the abnormality to which the upper lips are not fused. This is what we commonly refer to as harelip.Cleft palate on the other hand is an opening of the palate. Cleft palate is where the palate is open.The 2 birth defects can also be called as craniofacial anomalies.These anomalies can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss, recurrent ear infections, lip deformities and speech difficulties.

What Might Cause Clefts? 

There are no known definite causes but studies have shown that some factors such as genetics, genetic syndromes and the environment (poor pregnancy health, exposure to toxins, teratogens and certain drugs) contribute to the developments of these anomalies.It has been shown that the seizure and migraine preventing drug, Topamax contributes to the development of craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate.

Topamax And The Pregnant Woman: Its Effect

A scientific study that has been published in Neurology last 2008 indicated that pregnant women taking Topamax has the increased risk of cleft lip and palate congenital defects.As per the article, “Topiramate in Pregnancy: Preliminary Experience from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register,” of the 178 babies born, 16 had major birth defects.Four babies had oral clefts which is 11 times more than the normal rate.More and more cases around the world are being reported which led the FDA to issue serious warnings on Topamax. This drug has been given by FDA a Pregnancy Category D, which is just a level above Pregnancy Category X.A pregnant woman, especially with special needs, has to be very careful when taking medications.She should seek consult to her physician.