Intellectual functioning in clinically confirmed fetal valproate syndrome

Abstract

Background: An increased risk of impaired intelligence (IQ) has been documented in valproate-exposed children, but investigations have not previously focused on those with a clinical diagnosis of Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS). Methods: This cross sectional observational study recruited individuals with a diagnosis of FVS and completed standardized assessments of intellectual abilities making comparisons to a normative comparison group. Both mean difference (MD) and prevalence of scores below the lower average range were analyzed. Results: The mean full-scale IQ in 31 individuals with FVS (mean age 14.97; range 6–27 years) was 19 points lower (19.55, 95% CI −24.94 to 14.15), and IQ scores <70 were present in 26%. The mean differences for verbal comprehension (21.07, 95% CI −25.84 to −16.29), working memory (19.77, 95% CI −25.00 to −14.55) and processing speed (16.87, 95% CI −22.24 to −11.50) performances were poorer than expected with the mean differences over one standard deviation from the comparison group. Sixty one percent of cases demonstrated disproportionately lower verbal comprehension ability. There were no significant group differences for IQ in high vs. moderate dose valproate or mono vs. polytherapy. There were no differences in IQ between those with and those without a major congenital malformation. The requirement for educational intervention was high at 74%. Conclusion: Intellectual difficulties are a central feature of FVS and are more severe in their presentation in individuals with a diagnosis of valproate embryopathy. Individuals with FVS who present with the characteristic facial presentation should be considered at high risk of cognitive difficulties regardless of the dose of valproate exposure or the presence of a major congenital malformation.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2018.11.003
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences
Additional Information: © 2018, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Funding: Greater Manchester NIHR Research Network (Genetic research group), and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (PDF-2013-06-041).
Uncontrolled Keywords: Epilepsy,Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome,Fetal valproate syndrome,Intelligence,Pregnancy,Sodium valproate,Teratology,Toxicology,Developmental Neuroscience,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Publication ISSN: 0892-0362
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2024 11:43
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2018 13:21
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://linking ... 89203621830045X (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2019-01-01
Published Online Date: 2018-11-16
Accepted Date: 2018-11-15
Authors: Bromley, R.l.
Baker, G.a.
Clayton-smith, J.
Wood, A.g. (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-1537-6858)

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